No. 020 · open-pollinated
Indigo Rose
Indigo Rose is an indeterminate open-pollinated cherry tomato with purple-black fruit. It ripens in about 75 days.
Flavor
Described as clean and slightly acidic, reminiscent of plums with a mild sweetness. This is the recurring catalog and grower description, not a measured claim.
Origin
An open-pollinated variety bred by Jim Myers at Oregon State University and released around 2011 to 2012, the first improved tomato with anthocyanins in the fruit, derived from crosses with wild tomato species.
What it does well
- First improved tomato variety with anthocyanin in the fruit
- High anthocyanin gives near-black sun-exposed skin and some disease resistance
- Open pollinated, so saved seed grows true
- Compact, disease-resistant indeterminate vines
Where it frustrates
- Color, not softness, signals ripeness, so timing the harvest takes practice
- Full skin color needs strong direct sun on the fruit
Growing it
- Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.
- Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.
- A moderate grow, no special tricks but worth steady attention.
- One of our picks for the cold, short-season gardens of New England.
Disease resistance
An open-pollinated variety, sold without formal disease-resistance codes.
Why no hardiness zone?
Tomatoes are warm-season annuals, so variety choice comes down to days to maturity and your local frost dates.
Like Indigo Rose, but...
Sold out, or after a change? The closest alternatives, and how they differ.
Browse similar
Common questions
- Is Indigo Rose determinate or indeterminate?
- Indigo Rose is an indeterminate variety. Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.
- How long does Indigo Rose take to ripen?
- Indigo Rose ripens in about 75 days from transplant. Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.
- Is Indigo Rose an heirloom or a hybrid?
- Indigo Rose is open-pollinated, so seed saved from it comes back true to type.
- What can I grow instead of Indigo Rose?
- A close swap is Black Cherry, but a true anthocyanin purple-black skin rather than a dusky brown-red.
Sources
- Indigo Rose Organic Tomato Seeds · West Coast Seeds
- Indigo Rose Tomato Organic · Nichols Garden Nursery
- Blue tomato · Wikipedia
Stay in the loop
From the Almanac
Updates from Tomato Almanac, when there is something worth sharing.