Cherry tomatoes are a favorite among gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. These tiny treasures not only add a burst of color to your garden but also offer a sweet, tangy taste that’s irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, cherry tomatoes are an excellent choice, as they’re generally easier to grow and more prolific than their larger counterparts.
However, with so many varieties available, it can be challenging to choose the best ones for your garden. In this article, we’ll explore 14 of the best cherry tomato varieties, each with its unique flavor profile, growth habits, and characteristics.
14 Best Cherry Tomato Varieties
1. Sungold
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Vibrant orange-yellow Flavor:
- Exceptionally sweet with a perfect balance of sugary and tangy notes
- Plant Height: Vigorous growers
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, tobacco mosaic virus
Sungold is a true showstopper in the cherry tomato world. These vibrant orange-yellow gems are known for their exceptional sweetness and delectable flavor. The plants are vigorous growers and produce an abundance of fruit throughout the season. Sungold tomatoes are resistant to many common tomato diseases, making them a reliable choice for gardeners.
2. SunSugar
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Golden-yellow
- Flavor: Exceptionally sweet
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 62 days
- Disease Resistance: Crack-resistant
As its name suggests, SunSugar is a variety that delivers an incredible balance of sweetness and tanginess. These golden-orange tomatoes are crack-resistant and boast a long shelf life, allowing you to enjoy their flavors for an extended period. SunSugar plants are compact and high-yielding, making them an excellent choice for container gardening.
3. Red Robin
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Bright red
- Flavor: Sweet and flavorful
- Plant Height: Compact determinate
- Days to Maturity: 55 days
- Disease Resistance: Not specified
Red Robin is a classic cherry tomato variety that consistently delivers a bountiful harvest of bright red, perfectly round fruits. These tomatoes are known for their delightful flavor and excellent disease resistance, particularly against verticillium and fusarium wilts. Red Robin plants are reliable and easy to grow, making them a favorite among gardeners.
4. Black Cherry
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Deep purple-black
- Flavor: Complex, smoky
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 64 days
- Disease Resistance: Not specified
Don’t let the name fool you – Black Cherry tomatoes are a deep, rich shade of mahogany brown with an incredibly complex and intense flavor. These tomatoes are a true delicacy, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Black Cherry plants are prolific producers and offer a unique addition to any garden or culinary creation.
5. Sweetie
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Bright red
- Flavor: Incredibly sweet
- Plant Height: Vigorous growers
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, nematodes
Sweetie is a hybrid cherry tomato variety that lives up to its name. These bright red tomatoes are incredibly sweet and bursting with flavor. Sweetie plants are vigorous growers and produce an abundance of fruit throughout the season. This variety is resistant to many common tomato diseases, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.
6. SuperSweet 100
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Bright red
- Flavor: Incredibly sweet
- Plant Height: Indeterminate, up to 10 feet
- Days to Maturity: 65 days
- Disease Resistance: Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt
SuperSweet 100 is a beloved hybrid variety that consistently tops the charts for its exceptional sweetness and productivity. These bright red tomatoes are incredibly juicy and flavorful, making them a delight to snack on straight from the vine. SuperSweet 100 plants are compact and disease-resistant, ensuring a bountiful harvest even in challenging growing conditions.
7. Yellow Pear
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Bright yellow
- Flavor: Mild, sweet
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 75 days
- Disease Resistance: Not specified
For those seeking a unique and visually stunning cherry tomato, Yellow Pear is the perfect choice. These tomatoes are shaped like small pears and boast a beautiful golden-yellow hue. Their flavor is delightfully sweet and tangy, making them a versatile addition to salads, salsas, and even cocktails. Yellow Pear plants are prolific producers and offer a refreshing twist to any garden.
8. Rapunzel
- Size: Elongated, cylindrical shape
- Color: Vibrant red
- Flavor: Delightfully sweet Plant
- Height: Highly productive
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Highly disease-resistant
Rapunzel is a unique cherry tomato variety that stands out with its elongated, cylindrical shape. These tomatoes are a vibrant red color and boast a delightfully sweet flavor. Rapunzel plants are highly productive and disease-resistant, making them a reliable choice for gardeners. Their unique shape adds a whimsical touch to any dish or salad.
9. Chocolate Cherry
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Mahogany-brown
- Flavor: Rich, complex with a hint of sweetness
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 70 days
- Disease Resistance: Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt
For those who appreciate a rich and complex flavor, Chocolate Cherry is a must-try variety. These tomatoes have a deep, rich brown color and an intense, almost smoky taste. Chocolate Cherry plants are prolific producers and offer a unique addition to any tomato garden. Their distinct flavor pairs exceptionally well with savory dishes and makes for a stunning addition to fresh salads.
10. Isis Candy
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Marbled red and gold
- Flavor: Sweet, fruity
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 67 days
- Disease Resistance: Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt
Isis Candy is a true gem among cherry tomato varieties. These tomatoes boast a beautiful golden-orange hue and an unparalleled sweetness that will have you craving more. Isis Candy plants are vigorous growers and produce an abundance of fruit throughout the season. Their exceptional flavor and striking appearance make them a standout choice for gardeners and chefs alike.
11. Gardener’s Delight
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Bright red
- Flavor: Exceptionally sweet with rich, complex flavors
- Plant Height: Prolific producers
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt
Gardener’s Delight is a classic cherry tomato variety that has been a favorite among gardeners for generations. These bright red tomatoes are known for their exceptional sweetness and rich, complex flavors. Gardener’s Delight plants are prolific producers and offer excellent disease resistance, making them a reliable choice for any garden.
12. Matt’s Wild Cherry
- Size: Tiny, wild-type tomatoes
- Color: Varying shades of red
- Flavor: Intense, tangy-sweet flavors reminiscent of wild ancestors
- Plant Height: Vigorous growers
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, tobacco mosaic virus
For those seeking a truly unique and flavorful cherry tomato experience, Matt’s Wild Cherry is a must-try. These tiny, wild-type tomatoes are bursting with intense, tangy-sweet flavors that are reminiscent of their wild ancestors. Matt’s Wild Cherry plants are vigorous growers and produce an abundance of fruit throughout the season, making them a delightful addition to any garden.
13. Sun Gold Hybrid
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Golden-orange
- Flavor: Very sweet, with a hint of tropical fruit
- Plant Height: Indeterminate
- Days to Maturity: 57 days
- Disease Resistance: Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt
Sun Gold Hybrid is a beloved cherry tomato variety that has won the hearts of gardeners and chefs alike. These vibrant orange-yellow tomatoes are incredibly sweet and bursting with flavor. Sun Gold Hybrid plants are prolific producers and offer excellent disease resistance, ensuring a bountiful harvest even in challenging growing conditions.
14. Sweet Aperitif
- Size: 1-inch diameter
- Color: Stunning red
- Flavor: Exceptional sweetness with a delightful tartness
- Plant Height: Productive plants
- Days to Maturity: Abundant fruit throughout the season
- Disease Resistance: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt
Sweet Aperitif is a unique cherry tomato variety that combines exceptional sweetness with a delightful tartness. These tomatoes are a stunning red color and boast a perfectly balanced flavor that makes them a versatile addition to any dish. Sweet Aperitif plants are productive and disease-resistant, making them a reliable choice for gardeners seeking a delightful and flavorful cherry tomato experience.
How to Enjoy the Best Cherry Tomato Varieties?
With so many delicious options to choose from, the possibilities for enjoying fresh cherry tomatoes are endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Toss them into vibrant salads for a burst of color, sweetness, and tanginess
- Roast them with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a flavorful side dish or bruschetta topping
- Make a refreshing cherry tomato gazpacho or salsa for a summer party or gathering
- Skewer them with mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a delightful caprese appetizer
- Add them to sandwiches or wraps for a juicy and flavorful crunch
- Incorporate them into pasta dishes, pizzas, or flatbreads for a vibrant pop of color and flavor
Conclusion
Cherry tomatoes are a versatile and rewarding crop to grow in your home garden. With so many incredible varieties to choose from, you can explore a range of flavors, colors, and growth habits. Whether you prefer classic red tomatoes or unique hues like purple and yellow, there’s a cherry tomato variety that will suit your taste preferences and gardening style. By selecting the best cherry tomato varieties for your garden, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy fruits all season long.
