Organic Cherokee Purple Non-GMO Open-Pollinated Tomato Seeds

Legend has it that this beloved tomato was originally grown and carefully stewarded by the Cherokee people of North America, passed down through generations as part of their foodways. Like many heirloom varieties, its story lives at the intersection of oral history, seed saving, and tradition—preserved not through records, but through hands, gardens, and shared meals.

This is a classic large beefsteak tomato, producing generous 10–12 oz fruits with thin, deep purple-rose skin and soft, juicy flesh. The flavor is exceptional—rich, sweet, and complex with that unmistakable old-time tomato taste that’s becoming harder to find. It’s the kind of tomato that stops conversation at the table and reminds you why growing your own food matters.

Many growers consider this their all-time favorite, and for good reason. Sliced thick and eaten fresh, it needs little more than a sprinkle of salt. This is a true slicing tomato—beautiful, abundant, and deeply satisfying. You know exactly what to do.

Seed Profile

• Organic

• Heirloom

• Open-Pollinated

• Non-GMO

• Annual

• Sun: Full

• Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Direct Sow: No 

• Seed Count: 25

• Days to Maturity: 80-85

• Plant Size: 4'-6'

Gardener Tips

Indeterminate. Bone meal is an ideal fertilizer.  Mulch at base of plant. Use trellis or cage for support. Pinch flowers one month before first frost. 

Seeds should be planted indoors and kept in a dome with a heated mat for 4-8 weeks. 

It is key that your new starts be hardened off.  This is a process that requires taking them outside during the day, for a period of time, before they are planted. This acclimates your seedlings to the outside world, meaning the elements like the wind and sun. We do it for several weeks to a month as this strengthens their stems and overall plant structure. 

• Start for a short period of time initially, then graduate to more time each day
• One week minimum is recommended
• Bring them inside in the early evening and overnight
• Keep an eye on them and constantly water them. Make sure they have not blown over. 

Read our blog post on The Power of Mulching.

Harvesting Tips

Use garden sheers to cut fruit carefully, avoid damaging plant. Remove decaying fruit.