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
‘Black Krim’Black Krim Tomato
‘New Girl’New Girl Tomato
‘Thessaloniki’Thessaloniki Tomato
‘Cherokee Purple’Cherokee Purple Tomato
‘San Marzano’San Marzano 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
Indeterminate growth habit; produces sweet, chocolate-colored cherry tomatoes.
Notable for its unique sweet flavor and dark color, which sets it apart from other cherry tomato varieties.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Fruit Vegetable
Height
36 inches
Width
24 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Annual
Native To
South America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Bloom period
Mid-summer – Late summer
In flower about 2 months of the year
Planting
How to Grow
- Tuck seeds ¼ inch deep in moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep soil consistently warm at 70-85°F (21-29°C).
- Mist cuttings or water seedlings regularly to maintain moisture.
- Provide 12-16 hours of full sun daily for robust growth.
- Thin seedlings to the strongest plant and stake early for support.
- Harvest ripe cherries in 60-70 days after planting.
Pro Tip
Use organic compost to enrich soil and promote sweeter fruit flavor.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Water deeply at the base to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Prune suckers to improve airflow and fruit production
- Fertilize with a balanced tomato-specific fertilizer monthly
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Don't
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases ❌
- Do not let soil dry out completely between waterings
- Avoid excessive nitrogen which encourages leafy growth over fruit
- Never neglect staking or caging for support
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| 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
Chocolate Cherry Tomato questions
What zones can Chocolate Cherry Tomato grow in?
Chocolate Cherry Tomato is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Chocolate Cherry Tomato deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Chocolate Cherry Tomato, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Chocolate Cherry Tomato bloom?
Chocolate Cherry 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 Chocolate Cherry Tomato need full sun?
Chocolate Cherry 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 Chocolate Cherry 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.