Species
Solanum lycopersicumTomato24 other cultivars
‘Martino's Roma’Martino's Roma Tomato
‘Sweet’Sweet Tomato
‘Napa Rose’Napa Rose Tomato
‘Red Currant’Red Currant Tomato
‘Black and Brown Boar’Black and Brown Boar Tomato
‘Gold Medal’Gold Medal Tomato
‘Atomic Grape’Atomic Grape Tomato
‘Chocolate Cherry’Chocolate Cherry Tomato
‘Black Krim’Black Krim Tomato
‘New Girl’New Girl Tomato
‘Thessaloniki’Thessaloniki Tomato
‘Cherokee Purple’Cherokee Purple Tomato
‘Early Girl’Early Girl Tomato
‘Yellow Pear’Yellow Pear Tomato
‘Sun Gold’Sun Gold Tomato
‘AAA Sweet Solano’AAA Sweet Solano Tomato
‘Jelly Beans’Jelly Bean Tomato
‘Large Barred Boar’Large Barred Boar Tomato
‘Cascade Lava’Cascade Lava Tomato
‘Purple Bumble Bee’Purple Bumble Bee Tomato
‘Black Cherry’Black Cherry Tomato
‘Snow White’Snow White Tomato
‘Stupice’Stupice Tomato
‘Pink Berkeley Tie Dye’Pink Berkeley Tie Dye Tomato
The Story
Plant Bio
San Marzano tomatoes are renowned for their unique flavor and are commonly used for making sauces.
This cultivar is specifically known for its elongated shape and low moisture content, making it ideal for canning.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Fruit Vegetable
Height
72 inches
Width
24 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Consistent moisture
Humidity
Average
Lifespan
Annual
Native To
South America
Toxicity
Leaves and stems are toxic; ripe fruit is edible
Bloom period
Mid-summer – Late summer
In flower about 2 months of the year
Planting
How to Grow
- Tuck seeds ¼ inch deep into moist, well-draining soil in early spring.
- Mist cuttings regularly to maintain humidity and encourage root growth.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, typically 6–8 weeks after sprouting.
- Water deeply and consistently, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced tomato fertilizer during the growing season.
- Support plants with stakes or cages to prevent sprawling and improve air circulation.
Pro Tip
Use organic compost to enrich soil and boost flavor and yield.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide full sun for at least 6 hours daily 🌞
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Prune suckers to promote better airflow and fruit production
- Water at the base to prevent diseases
Don't
- Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal issues ❌
- Don’t transplant in extreme heat or cold
- Refrain from over-fertilizing, which can lead to lush foliage but poor fruiting
- Don’t ignore signs of pests or disease
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Pinch | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Stake |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
San Marzano Tomato questions
What zones can San Marzano Tomato grow in?
San Marzano Tomato is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is San Marzano Tomato deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse San Marzano Tomato, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does San Marzano Tomato bloom?
San Marzano Tomato typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does San Marzano Tomato need full sun?
San Marzano Tomato does best in full sun (6+ hours).
More Solanum to compare
Martino's Roma Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Martino's Roma'
Yukon Gold Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Yukon Gold'
Sweet Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweet'
Napa Rose Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Napa Rose'
Red Currant Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Red Currant'
Black and Brown Boar Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black and Brown Boar'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow San Marzano Tomato with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.