25 of the Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties to Grow in Your Garden

Are you ready to add some rich, diverse, and colorful flavors to your garden? Heirloom tomatoes are a gardener’s dream, offering a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and tastes that far surpass the standard grocery store varieties. These tomatoes have been passed down through generations, treasured for their unique characteristics and superior flavors. Growing heirloom tomatoes not only connects you to gardening traditions but also rewards you with the most flavorful, vibrant tomatoes you’ve ever tasted. In this article, we’ll explore 25 of the best heirloom tomato varieties that will transform your garden and elevate your culinary creations.

1. Brandywine: The Classic Heirloom

Let’s start with one of the most beloved heirloom varieties: Brandywine. Known for its large, beefsteak-style fruits, Brandywine tomatoes have a rich, sweet flavor with a perfect balance of acidity. The fruits are typically pink or red and can weigh up to a pound or more, making them ideal for slicing. Brandywine tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they will produce fruit throughout the growing season. This variety is often praised for its exceptional taste, making it a must-grow for any tomato enthusiast.

2. Cherokee Purple: The Smoky Southern Gem

Cherokee Purple is a striking heirloom variety with deep purple-brown skin and a rich, complex flavor. This tomato has a slightly smoky taste with a hint of sweetness, making it a favorite among gourmet gardeners. The fruits are large and slightly flattened, with a beautiful marbling of red and purple inside. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Their unique color and flavor make them a standout in any garden.

3. Green Zebra: The Striped Sensation

For a truly eye-catching addition to your garden, consider growing Green Zebra tomatoes. This heirloom variety produces small to medium-sized fruits with vibrant green and yellow stripes. The flavor of Green Zebra tomatoes is tangy and slightly sweet, making them perfect for salads and salsas. The plants are indeterminate and produce a continuous harvest throughout the season. Green Zebra tomatoes add a pop of color and a zesty flavor to your tomato collection.

4. Aunt Ruby’s German Green: The Sweet Green Giant

Aunt Ruby’s German Green is a unique heirloom variety that produces large, green tomatoes with a sweet, fruity flavor. Despite their green color, these tomatoes are fully ripe and offer a deliciously sweet taste with a hint of spiciness. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh up to a pound, making them great for slicing and sandwiches. Aunt Ruby’s German Green tomatoes are indeterminate and will continue to produce fruit throughout the growing season. This variety is perfect for those who want to try something different in their garden.

5. Kellogg’s Breakfast: The Golden Beauty

Named after a Michigan gardener, Kellogg’s Breakfast is an heirloom variety that produces large, bright orange tomatoes with a rich, fruity flavor. These tomatoes are sweet and juicy, with a low acidity that makes them perfect for fresh eating. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them ideal for slicing. Kellogg’s Breakfast tomatoes are indeterminate and will produce fruit throughout the season. Their bright color and delicious flavor make them a favorite among gardeners.

6. Black Krim: The Dark and Savory Heirloom

Black Krim is a unique heirloom variety that hails from the Crimean Peninsula. This tomato produces medium to large fruits with a deep red to purple-black color. The flavor of Black Krim tomatoes is rich, slightly salty, and smoky, making them a favorite for gourmet dishes. The fruits are juicy and have a complex flavor profile that pairs well with a variety of foods. Black Krim tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Their unique color and savory taste make them a must-try for any tomato lover.

7. Mortgage Lifter: The Heirloom with a Story

Mortgage Lifter is an heirloom variety with an interesting backstory. Developed by a farmer in West Virginia during the Great Depression, this tomato was so popular that it helped him pay off his mortgage. Mortgage Lifter tomatoes are large, pinkish-red fruits with a sweet, mild flavor. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them perfect for slicing. Mortgage Lifter tomatoes are indeterminate and will produce fruit throughout the season. Their rich history and delicious flavor make them a beloved choice among gardeners.

8. Yellow Pear: The Delightful Vintage Heirloom

Yellow Pear is a charming heirloom variety that produces small, pear-shaped tomatoes with a bright yellow color. The flavor of Yellow Pear tomatoes is mild and sweet, making them perfect for snacking, salads, and garnishes. The fruits are small and grow in clusters, making them easy to harvest. Yellow Pear tomatoes are indeterminate and produce a continuous harvest throughout the season. Their unique shape and color add a delightful touch to any garden.

9. Amish Paste: The Perfect Sauce Tomato

If you’re looking for a great tomato for sauces and canning, Amish Paste is the perfect choice. This heirloom variety produces large, red, plum-shaped fruits with a rich, sweet flavor and a meaty texture. Amish Paste tomatoes are known for their low moisture content, making them ideal for cooking and preserving. The plants are indeterminate and will produce a steady supply of fruit throughout the season. Amish Paste tomatoes are a must-grow for gardeners who love making homemade sauces and salsas.

10. Paul Robeson: The Deeply Flavorful Heirloom

Named after the famous African-American singer and civil rights activist, Paul Robeson is an heirloom tomato variety that produces medium-sized, dark red to black fruits with a rich, complex flavor. The taste of Paul Robeson tomatoes is often described as sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky, with a depth of flavor that sets them apart from other varieties. The plants are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Paul Robeson tomatoes are a favorite among gourmet gardeners and those who appreciate a tomato with a story.

11. Orange Oxheart: The Sweet Heart-Shaped Heirloom

Orange Oxheart is an heirloom variety that produces large, heart-shaped tomatoes with a bright orange color and a sweet, fruity flavor. The fruits are meaty and juicy, making them perfect for slicing and eating fresh. Orange Oxheart tomatoes are indeterminate and will produce fruit throughout the growing season. Their unique shape and vibrant color make them a standout in any garden, and their sweet flavor is sure to please.

12. German Johnson: The Old-Fashioned Favorite

German Johnson is a classic heirloom variety that produces large, pinkish-red fruits with a rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them ideal for slicing and sandwiches. German Johnson tomatoes are indeterminate and produce a continuous harvest throughout the season. This variety is known for its reliability and exceptional flavor, making it a favorite among gardeners who appreciate traditional tomato varieties.

13. Purple Calabash: The Wrinkled Heirloom

Purple Calabash is one of the most unusual-looking heirloom tomatoes you can grow. This variety produces small to medium-sized fruits with a deep purple color and a wrinkled, lobed shape. The flavor of Purple Calabash tomatoes is intense, with a rich, tangy taste that’s perfect for adding depth to sauces and salads. The plants are indeterminate and produce fruit throughout the season. Purple Calabash tomatoes are a great choice for gardeners who want something truly unique in their garden.

14. White Tomesol: The Pale Beauty

White Tomesol is an heirloom variety that produces medium-sized, creamy white tomatoes with a sweet, mild flavor. Despite their pale color, these tomatoes are full of flavor and have a unique taste that’s perfect for fresh eating and salads. The plants are indeterminate and produce a steady supply of fruit throughout the growing season. White Tomesol tomatoes add a touch of elegance to any garden with their soft, creamy color and delicate flavor.

15. Pineapple: The Striped Heirloom

Pineapple is a beautiful heirloom variety that produces large, beefsteak-style tomatoes with a striking yellow and red striped pattern. The fruits are sweet and juicy, with a tropical flavor that’s reminiscent of pineapple. Pineapple tomatoes are perfect for slicing and adding a burst of color to salads and sandwiches. The plants are indeterminate and produce fruit throughout the season. Pineapple tomatoes are a stunning addition to any garden, offering both visual appeal and delicious flavor.

16. Hillbilly: The Bicolor Heirloom

Hillbilly is an heirloom variety that produces large, bicolor tomatoes with a yellow base and red marbling. The fruits are sweet and juicy, with a mild, fruity flavor that’s perfect for fresh eating. Hillbilly tomatoes are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them ideal for slicing. The plants are indeterminate and produce fruit throughout the season. Hillbilly tomatoes are a great choice for gardeners who want a beautiful, bicolor tomato with a sweet, mild flavor.

17. Black Cherry: The Dark and Sweet Cherry Tomato

If you’re looking for a cherry tomato with a unique flavor, Black Cherry is the perfect choice. This heirloom variety produces small, round fruits with a deep purple-brown color and a rich, sweet flavor. Black Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking, salads, and garnishes, offering a sweet taste with a hint of smokiness. The plants are indeterminate and produce a continuous harvest throughout the season. Black Cherry tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners who appreciate a dark, sweet cherry tomato with a complex flavor.

18. Golden Jubilee: The Mellow Yellow Heirloom

Golden Jubilee is an heirloom variety that produces medium-sized, golden-yellow tomatoes with a mild, sweet flavor. The fruits are smooth and round, with a low acidity that makes them perfect for fresh eating and salads. Golden Jubilee tomatoes are determinate, meaning they produce their fruit in a more concentrated period, making them ideal for canning and preserving. Their beautiful yellow color and mellow flavor make them a delightful addition to any garden.

19. Speckled Roman: The Striking Paste Tomato

Speckled Roman is an heirloom variety that produces elongated, red tomatoes with striking yellow stripes. The fruits are meaty and have a rich, sweet flavor, making them perfect for sauces, salsas, and canning. Speckled Roman tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Their unique appearance and excellent flavor make them a standout in any garden, particularly for those who love making homemade tomato products.

20. Costoluto Genovese: The Italian Heirloom

Costoluto Genovese is a classic Italian heirloom variety that produces medium-sized, deeply ribbed, red tomatoes. The fruits have a rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are excellent for fresh eating, sauces, and canning. The plants are indeterminate and produce fruit throughout the season. This variety is a favorite among gardeners who appreciate traditional Italian tomatoes with a rich, full flavor.

21. Dr. Wyche’s Yellow: The Bright and Bold Heirloom

Dr. Wyche’s Yellow is an heirloom variety that produces large, bright yellow tomatoes with a sweet, fruity flavor. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them perfect for slicing and sandwiches. Dr. Wyche’s Yellow tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Their bright color and sweet, juicy flavor make them a standout in any garden.

22. Thessaloniki: The Greek Heirloom

Thessaloniki is an heirloom variety from Greece that produces medium-sized, round, red tomatoes with a sweet, tangy flavor. The fruits are smooth and blemish-free, making them perfect for fresh eating, salads, and canning. Thessaloniki tomatoes are determinate and produce a concentrated harvest, making them ideal for gardeners who want a bountiful harvest for preserving. Their excellent flavor and reliable production make them a favorite among gardeners who appreciate heirloom varieties with a rich history.

23. Nebraska Wedding: The Golden Plains Heirloom

Nebraska Wedding is an heirloom variety that produces medium-sized, orange tomatoes with a sweet, mild flavor. The fruits are smooth and round, with a beautiful golden-orange color that brightens up any garden. Nebraska Wedding tomatoes are determinate and produce a concentrated harvest, making them perfect for canning and preserving. This variety is known for its reliability and excellent flavor, making it a great choice for gardeners in a variety of climates.

24. Stupice: The Early Heirloom

Stupice is an heirloom variety from Czechoslovakia that produces small to medium-sized, red tomatoes with a sweet, tangy flavor. This variety is known for its early maturity, making it a great choice for gardeners who want to start harvesting tomatoes early in the season. Stupice tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit steadily throughout the season. Their excellent flavor and early production make them a favorite among gardeners who want to enjoy fresh tomatoes as soon as possible.

25. Yellow Brandywine: The Golden Heirloom

Yellow Brandywine is an heirloom variety that produces large, golden-yellow tomatoes with a rich, sweet flavor. The fruits are beefsteak-style and can weigh over a pound, making them perfect for slicing and sandwiches. Yellow Brandywine tomatoes are indeterminate and produce fruit throughout the season. Their beautiful color and exceptional flavor make them a standout in any garden, particularly for those who love the classic Brandywine flavor with a golden twist.

Growing heirloom tomatoes is a rewarding experience that connects you to generations of gardeners who have treasured these varieties for their unique characteristics and exceptional flavors. With so many heirloom varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect tomato to suit your taste preferences, growing conditions, and gardening goals. Whether you’re looking for a classic red tomato, a sweet yellow variety, or a unique bicolor beauty, there’s an heirloom tomato out there for you.

By selecting from these 25 top heirloom tomato varieties, you’ll ensure a bountiful and flavorful harvest that you can enjoy all season long. Happy gardening, and may your heirloom tomato plants thrive and produce abundantly!