There are different types of tomatoes out there for nearly every garden type. As long as you prepare and nurture the soil and are ready to deal with common pests and diseases that affect tomato plants, you should be on your way to a good harvest.
Moreover, tomatoes are among the highest-yielding vegetables and the easiest to grow for a beginner gardener. They are also very healthy, packed with vitamins and minerals [1].
Though there are many kinds of tomatoes that you can grow, this article focuses on heirloom varieties. With this in mind, enjoy this tomato variety list.
1. Egg Yolk
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Picture credit Type: Indeterminate
As the name suggests, the egg yolk tomato produces egg-sized fruits. Moreover, the fruits are firm and keep well.
Additionally, it is an unusually heavy-bearing variety, so if you are looking for a prolific tomato, this might be the type for you. It takes 75 days on average to mature.
2. Ace 55
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Type: Determinate
The Ace 55 tomato type grows to about 3 to 4 feet. As such, it will likely need some plant support.
It is a low-acid variety, and it looks the closest to your standard supermarket kind.
However, they produce medium-sized fruits that are best for eating fresh. Maturity takes 80 days.
3. Yellow Beefsteak
Type: Ind.
Otherwise referred to as round or slicing tomatoes, Beefsteak tomatoes are one of the meatiest tomatoes. They can grow up to 2 pounds.
Additionally, they are large and juicy and best eaten sliced in sandwiches or salads.
They take 85 days to mature. However, due to the size of the fruits the plants produce, they require staking, a trellis, or caging.
Furthermore, there are different beefsteak tomatoes out there. You can find them in pink, yellow, or Ponderosa red.
4. Big Rainbow
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Type: Ind.
The Big Rainbow is a classic heirloom tomato characterized by its large, multicolored fruit. Like the Beefsteak, it produces big fruits that can be over 2 pounds.
It also has the classic taste that many gardeners are looking for. It takes 80 to 85 days to mature.
5. Black Krim
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Photo creditType: Ind.
One of the best tomato varieties, Black Krim, is a fancy beefsteak variety that has a striking red-black exterior and a red-green interior.
Moreover, it is very sweet, so if you are looking for a gourmet tomato that will impress your guests, this is the one for you. It takes 75 to 80 days to mature.
6. Brandywine
Type: Ind.
The Brandywine is a special one among the beefsteak brands of tomatoes. You can find them in both pink and yellow.
However, pink Brandywine varieties are slightly larger, with fruits growing up to 1 pound. Additionally, Brandywine is one of the tastiest tomatoes, having excellent flavor, smooth flesh, and a soft texture.
7. Calypso
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Image creditType: Ind.
The Calypso tomato does well in humid climates and weighs between 6 and 8 oz. when mature.
These make a good replacement for your standard supermarket tomato and are some of the best for canning and freezing. Besides, they’re easy to grow and mature in 85 days.
8. Caribe
Type: Det.
Caribe is one of the best tomatoes for growing in containers and tight spaces.
It produces a very compact plant that will put forth 8-ounce fruits and does well in both dry and humid climates. Maturity takes 85 days.
9. Cherokee Purple
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Picture creditType: Ind.
Among the high-yield tomato varieties, Cherokee Purple produces fruit that varies between 6 and 12 ounces in final weight.
The fruit is a deep purplish-pink when mature and is extremely flavorful. However, it takes an average of 90 days to mature.
10. Cherry
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Type: Ind.
For beginner gardeners, cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest tomato plants. Moreover, you can get them in many more colors than the standard red.
The ones with white and chocolate colors are resistant to cracking, very sweet, and 1 inch in diameter. Black cherry tomatoes, however, are smaller at only half an inch and only take 65 days to mature.
They’re all sweet, and growing multiple colors can make for some impressive culinary creations. Moreover, all varieties are highly productive tomato plants.
Cherry tomatoes take 75 days to mature on average.
11. Creole
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Photo credit Type: Ind.
This one is smooth and glossy. Furthermore, it is a high-quality, delicious tomato that is heat-tolerant, so if you live in a hot area, this is the one for you.
It takes 70 days to mature.
12. Golden Sunray
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Type: Ind.
The Golden Sunray tomato produces large yellow fruits. It has meaty flesh and a great flavor that makes it perfect for salads and sauces.
Besides, it is great for those who want to sell at farmer’s markets, thanks to its large size, impressive look, and versatile uses. They take between 75 and 80 days to mature.
13. Green Grape
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Photo credit Type: Ind.
One of the most popular, the green grape, is truly distinctive among the different kinds of tomatoes.
When mature, they stay green, making them a strong addition to many culinary creations or a wonderful base for green ketchup.
Additionally, they grow in clusters of 6 to 8 fruits. So, if you’re looking for unusual varieties to plant this growing season, this is an excellent choice. They take 70 days to mature.
14. Green Striped Zebra
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Type: Semi-Determinate
Considered among the best tomatoes, the Green Striped Zebra stays green when mature. However, these average 3 ounces per fruit and have a striking striped look.
They are great for many uses, from salads and snacks to sandwiches and even pickling. These take 75 to 80 days to reach maturity.
15. Heritage Rainbow Mix
Type: Ind.
Do you want to grow a beefsteak but don’t know which one to pick? A mix like the Heritage Rainbow Mix could be for you.
You get a selection of bright, vibrant colors. You’ll also get a good mix of sizes, shapes, and flavor profiles in one package.
These take between 80 and 90 days to mature, depending on the plant.
16. Jubilee
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Type: Ind.
The Jubilee is a yellow, low-acid tomato. They have a meaty texture and high levels of Vitamins A and C.
Additionally, jubilee tomatoes have a high yield, are easy to grow, and do well in many growing areas. Maturity takes 75 to 80 days.
17. Mortgage Lifter
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Image credit Type: Ind.
The Mortgage Lifter is a very large beefsteak tomato that can grow up to 2 pounds.
Moreover, they have a rich flavor and turn a deep pink color if left to ripen on the vine. Maturity takes 70 days.
18. Mr. Stripey
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Type: Ind.
This is a great choice if you’re in the market for low-acid and sweet tomatoes. You can expect high yields of red with yellow stripes.
Mr. Stripey is best used for salads and takes between 75 and 80 days to mature.
19. Oxheart
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Photo credit Type: Ind.
The Oxheart is named for the beautiful heart shape of the fruit. For that reason, they make a truly stunning addition to sandwiches, salads, and other dishes.
You can get them in pink, orange, and yellow. Besides, all of them share a lovely shape, a meaty texture, and a delicious flavor.
All colors take 90 days to reach maturity.
20. Pear
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Image credit Type: Ind.
The Pear tomato is perfect if you’re looking to make sauces or can your crops. They grow in clusters and are shaped like their namesake.
Also, they come in both red and yellow varieties. Maturity takes 75 days, no matter what color you pick.
21. Pineapple
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Picture creditType: Ind.
The Pineapple is another one to consider if you’re looking for massive tomatoes. The fruit can grow up to 2 pounds and will be striped yellow and red both inside and out.
Besides, they can produce all season long, and maturity takes 80 to 90 days.
22. Rio Grande
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Image creditType: Det.
The Rio Grande tomato is a great choice if your area experiences large temperature fluctuations during the growing season. It can tolerate extreme temperatures.
Moreover, each plant is large and yields large amounts of fruit. Maturity takes between 75 and 80 days.
23. Rutgers
Type: Ind.
The Rutgers tomato is another good replacement for your standard supermarket choice. These vine tomatoes produce high yields of medium-small, bright red fruits.
They are versatile and good for cooking, canning, and making a paste. Maturity takes 80 days on average.
24. San Marzano
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Photo creditType: Ind.
One of the best tomatoes for sauces, the San Marzano, is your classic Italian pick. If you’re looking to grow tomatoes for marinara, Bolognese, or other classic Italian dishes, this is the one for you.
Each fruit will be about 3 ½ inches in length and red when fully mature. Maturity takes 85 days.
25. Tigerella
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Image creditType: Ind.
The Tigerella tomato is a beautiful red and orange-striped fruit that tends to grow to around supermarket size.
They have a rich, tangy flavor, produce high yields, and can be classified as “weird tomato varieties” because of how they look. However, Tigerella matures up to 3 weeks before many others.
Furthermore, they’re very hardy to outdoor conditions and grow best when pruned. Maturity takes between 50 and 60 days.
26. Tiny Tim
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Picture creditType: Det.
Tiny Tim is one of the best small tomatoes to grow in containers. The plant itself stays small and compact and produces fruits that are between ¾ and 1 inch in diameter when mature.
Besides, the plant reaches a maximum height of 12 inches and doesn’t require staking. So, if all you have is a windowsill, you can grow Tiny Tim.
Maturity takes only 45 days.
27. VR Moscow
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Image creditType: Det.
VR Moscow is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a classic flavor. The fruit is large, between 3 and 4 inches on average.
It is also thick-walled, making it an excellent slicing tomato. Maturity takes 80 days.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain point and then stop. The fruits also ripen during the same period.
On the other hand, indeterminate tomato plants grow very tall and will normally require stakes, a trellis, or a cage. They continue to grow and produce fruits for as long as your growing season lasts.
Heirloom vs. Hybrid
Heirloom tomatoes are passed down from generation to generation, saving the seeds from year to year [2]. However, hybrids are a cross of two different tomato plants to get features from both parent plants [3].
Takeaway
Now that you have seen some unusual tomato types, make sure you consider your space, soil, weather, and intended uses when deciding on which to add to your garden.
