A cocktail-sized cherry tomato, with deep bluish-purple skin on the sun exposed side, and deep red skin where the sun doesn’t reach the fruit. Indigo Rose was bred at Oregon State University as part of a program to breed tomatoes with high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are typically found in blueberries, blackberries and other fruit. This tomato variety is the first to contain antioxidants.

A vigorous indeterminate variety, be sure to provide appropriate staking as it will easily outgrow a tomato cage.

Flavour is sweet, mildly acidic and very juicy.

The best way to know when Indigo Rose is ripe is twofold. First, check the bottom of the tomato. The colour will be fully ripe when the bottom end is red. The second way to know is by gently squeezing the fruit. If it is rock hard, it isn’t ripe. Once the fruit has a little give, it is ripe and ready for harvest.

For more information on Indigo Rose, check out Oregon State University’s post: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/purple-tomato-debuts-indigo-rose

Growing Information:

Start tomato seeds indoors a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks before the final frost date. Please refer to my Seed Starting Calculator for specific planting dates for your planting area.

Tomatoes grow best in full sun and require consistent moisture, in order to avoid blossom end rot.

Transplant outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Space your plants at least 2 to 3 feet apart, depending on how well you stake them. Stay on top of removing sucker stems.

Plants are indeterminate and require proper staking in order to support tall vines. Remove suckers to encourage growth of the main central stem.

Days to Maturity: 91

Price: $5.50

Packet: 20 seeds

Germination: 99%