Description of the best varieties of black tomatoes for open ground and greenhouses

Black tomatoes, like red ones, grow on vines and love the sun. Unripe tomatoes have the same green hue, but when ripe, the fruits turn purple, dark brown, or chocolate brown due to a mixture of different pigments. To produce black tomatoes, regular tomato varieties were crossed with similar, but wild, plants from the Solanaceae family. They were created through selective breeding, not gene modification, and contain a wealth of beneficial components.

What is special about black tomatoes?

Dark tomatoes have a distinct flavor compared to regular classic varieties due to their significant sugar content. The fruits are sweeter, and organic acids impart a distinctive flavor.

What makes tomatoes black?

Classic tomatoes owe their vibrant color to a combination of lycopene and carotene, which are natural colorants. Tomato leaves and stems are rich in anthocyanins.

Red fruits contain many vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, but they do not contain this component, which is present only in black tomatoes and gives them a dark hue.

Scientists have been trying for many years to develop varieties that contain anthocyanins in their fruits, and they succeeded in creating them by crossing the seeds of cultivated and wild plant species.

What are the benefits of black tomatoes?

Purple or chocolate-colored tomatoes are rich in ascorbic acid, which protects the body from colds and boosts the immune system. Anthocyanins, found in black tomatoes, act as natural antioxidants:

1. They relieve inflammation.
2. Prevent cell degeneration.
3. They calm the nerves.
4. Eliminates swelling.

Black fruits also have the benefit of strengthening blood vessels and having a positive effect on the heart muscle when consumed regularly. B vitamins promote rejuvenation, and lycopene prevents cancer.

Potential harm

Black tomatoes, like red tomatoes, are not recommended for people with nephrolithiasis. Tomatoes have a diuretic effect and can dislodge stones. If you are allergic to one of the ingredients, dark tomatoes can cause allergies. For others, they are harmless and beneficial.

Specific taste

Some gardeners who have planted black tomatoes indoors say they don't like the fruits because they lack acidity and have a slightly sweet taste. Some consider this a disadvantage, others consider it an advantage.

The most common varieties

The characteristics of black tomatoes have attracted the attention of gardeners and farmers, and many of them, along with classic tomatoes, have begun to plant plants with fruits of an unusual color.

One of the earliest varieties developed, Paul Robeson, remains popular and is prized for its high yield and large tomato size. Individual tomatoes weigh over 300 g.

Mid-season Black Moor tomato It grows quickly and, although it requires support, is easy to care for. A single cluster produces two dozen miniature fruits.

The Gypsy variety pleases with tomatoes:

• round shape;
• brown color;
• excellent taste.

A single tomato weighs nearly 150 grams, and the bush barely reaches a meter in height. After reading the description of the Black Prince, many gardeners began growing this variety. Some were disappointed, as the tomatoes died from late blight due to lack of treatment, while others were satisfied, harvesting a good crop of delicious and sweet fruits. The bushes need to be tied up; they reach a height of almost 2.5 meters.

The Black Pear variety is a favorite among gardeners. These dark burgundy tomatoes have firm flesh, are suitable for canning, and are rich in carotene.Indigo Rose and Black Sun tomatoes are distinguished by the fact that the fruits ripening on the bushes do not have a brown or purple hue, but are colored a true black.

Dark varieties for open ground

Breeders annually create hybrids that thrive in greenhouses. However, the best tomatoes, grown in a sunny field or garden bed, have a richer flavor and a unique aroma.

Black Crimea

In southern regions, gardeners enjoy planting this productive variety. The indeterminate tomato bush is trained into two stems and tied to a support. A single plant can produce up to 4 kg of tomatoes.

• dark crimson color;
• with dense skin;
• fleshy pulp.

Individual fruits weigh up to 500 g and are ideal for making juices and sauces, but are not suitable for storage.

De barao black

This late-ripening variety, developed by Brazilian breeders, is grown in various countries. It is prized for its immunity to most diseases, its ability to bear fruit in partial shade, and its ability to withstand cold temperatures. Bushes reaching three meters tall yield up to 8 kg of small, thin-skinned, purple-hued tomatoes.

Black Bison

This tomato, developed by Russian breeders, is grown in greenhouses in the central part of the country and produces a good harvest in the garden in southern regions, provided it is supported by a trellis. The tomatoes ripen 110–120 days after planting, turning purple when ripe, and weighing approximately 500 g. They do not store well and are used for juice and tomato production. The plant is rarely affected by disease, yielding approximately 5 kg per bush.

Black pineapple

Breeders from Bulgaria and Belgium collaborated to develop a variety with interesting fruit. The result is tall, branching bushes with upright shoots that require pinching and staking. The Black Pineapple is distinguished by:

• good yield;
• excellent shelf life;
• large weight of fruits.

The flesh of tomatoes is a variety of colors—yellow and green, pink and purple—and the outer skin is brown. When cut, an interesting pattern appears.The variety's drawbacks include difficulty in care, as the bush requires careful shaping and constant removal of side shoots. In poor weather, the fruit's flavor deteriorates; they weigh 400–500 g and are not suitable for canning.

Black truffle

In southern Russia, gardeners sow tomato seeds for seedlings as early as February to enjoy early tomatoes. Black Truffle is one of the varieties that matures in just 90 days. Bushes up to one and a half meters tall produce pear-shaped, brown fruits weighing 150–180 grams. They are prized for their excellent flavor, long shelf life, and are suitable for canning, but they don't offer high yields.

Black Baron

Once planted, gardeners grow this hybrid variety continually, although the sprawling bushes need to be tied up and side shoots removed. The Black Baron responds to care with a harvest of fruits that impress with a rich flavor, juicy flesh, and dense, glossy skin. The round tomatoes ripen gradually, several at a time. Ripe tomatoes take on a deep burgundy hue and weigh an average of 200 grams.

Black Delicacy

This tall, indeterminate variety impresses with its long-lasting fruiting. The first tomatoes are harvested in July, and the last ripen in September.Black Delicacy tomatoes, covered in orange skin, have a classic shape and weigh about 100 g. The dark brown flesh contains a lot of sugar, which gives the tomatoes a distinctive flavor.

Dark chocolate

Miniature plants look original in garden beds and serve as table decorations. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, a tomato with brown-purple fruits reminiscent of cherry tomatoes has emerged. Dark chocolate is almost immune to late blight, and with proper care, it is resistant to root rot and gray mold. Tomatoes have a surprisingly fruity flavor, but are not suitable for canning or storing.

Kumato

The Kumat Tomatoes hybrid was developed in Western Europe, but its unique coloring and excellent technical characteristics have also attracted the attention of Russian gardeners. Bushes up to 2 meters tall produce dense, chocolate-colored tomatoes with a green tint. The fruits are rich in:

• glucose;
• provitamin;
• ascorbic acid;
• fructose.

Tomatoes don't spoil for a long time, but they lose their unique flavor at low temperatures. Kumato tomatoes are used for garnishing dishes and for making juice.

Vranac F1

Many hybrids can be grown both in the garden and in the greenhouse. They are not affected by mosaic and bacteriosis and are resistant to Fusarium wilt of tomatoes Vranac F1. A single bush, no more than a meter tall, produces 200–250 tomatoes in less than three months. Each fruit weighs up to 20 grams, impresses with its rich red color, and the skin is covered with dark stripes. Created by Russian breeders, this marvel is perfect for canning.

Chocolate bunny

Despite its short stature, this semi-determinate tomato produces a large number of ripening fruits. The plant produces lateral shoots, each bearing a single flower cluster, each bearing up to 15 plum-shaped tomatoes. When ripe, they weigh about 50 grams and take on a chocolate-colored hue. This variety, developed by Bulgarian breeders, is virtually immune to late blight and resistant to fusarium. The tomatoes have thick skin, begin ripening in July, and are harvested before frost.

Indigo Rose

The exotic Indigo Rose was bred in the United States just a few years ago. The hybrid is grown in regions with varying climates, and in the north, it bears fruit in greenhouses. This tomato, which grows from 1 to 1.5 meters tall, boasts numerous advantages, including:

1. Resistance to low temperatures.
2. Immunity to fusarium and gray rot.
3. High yield.

A bush with curling leaves produces approximately 8 kg of fruit with thin, glossy, black skin. These tomatoes are distinguished by their rich flavor, and up to 8 tomatoes can be produced on a single branch. The juicy flesh has the same color as classic varieties.

Black Sun

The "Elixir of Youth," or Black Sun, is very popular in its homeland, but few know about it in Russia. The variety is adapted to the mild maritime climate and was developed in Italy. This tomato is remarkable for its unusual combination of shiny black skin and juicy red flesh. After cooking, the distinctive color palette is no longer as noticeable.

In a temperate climate, this heat-loving variety only takes root in closed ground.

Black elephant

This mid-season tomato plant grows up to one and a half meters tall. The first inflorescence appears under the eighth large leaf, where tomatoes begin to form. When ripe, they take on a flattened, round shape and a brown color. The size of the fruit matches its name, with individual specimens weighing over 400 grams. Tomatoes are grown from seedlings. Gardeners appreciate the sweet and sour flavor of these tomatoes.

Black sugar

This mid-season indeterminate variety boasts compact bushes up to 1.4 meters tall. A cluster produces approximately six fruits. Ripe tomatoes have a superb flavor with fruity notes. Weighing up to 400 grams, this fleshy tomato is used for making sauces and juices. This variety is characterized by:

• friendly ripening,
• good transportability;
• resistance to heat and drought.

A whole bucket of dark-brown tomatoes is harvested per square meter. Seeds for seedlings are sown in the last month of winter.

Black woman

Many gardeners avoid planting tall tomatoes because they require staking and pruning, but these varieties produce excellent yields. Negrityanka grows well in both greenhouses and open ground, producing beautiful brown tomatoes. They have a rich, fruity flavor, weigh between 200 and 400 grams, are used for juice production, and retain their shelf life well during long-term storage.

Chocolate block

This variety is distinguished by vigorous bushes growing up to 1.5 meters in height. It is planted for early fruiting. The first purple-brown tomatoes ripen in less than three months and are large; the branches break without support.The weight of individual specimens of the Chocolate Lump approaches a kilogram, but the average weight of the fruit is 300 g.

Farmer's Black

This tomato variety is not included in the State Register in Russia, but gardeners grow it in open ground and harvest a decent crop of red-brown tomatoes from medium-sized bushes. The fruits darken during storage and have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Kursk Black

This mid-season indeterminate tomato was created not by breeders, but by a hobbyist. The variety thrives in a variety of climates and boasts a beautiful bush shape. The round tomatoes ripen to a dark brown hue, with cherry-colored flesh. The fruits weigh up to 400 g.

Black raspberry

Tomatoes are grown outdoors only in the south, but gardeners love this variety because the bushes are easy to care for and don't need to worry about late blight or root rot. Black raspberries are resistant to fungal and bacterial infections. The dark-brown tomatoes are easy to transport and store for a long time without cracking, but they are very small.

Black-fruited varieties for greenhouses

Tomatoes with unusual colors are gaining popularity among gardeners every year. In temperate climates, tomatoes are typically grown in greenhouses, but breeders have worked hard to develop varieties suitable for indoor cultivation.

The Black Prince

For growing in temperate climates, gardeners buy seeds of a Chinese-bred hybrid that combines:

• ease of care;
• excellent yield;
• original color of fruits.

The tomatoes have thin skin but firm flesh, and shades range from red to deep purple. A Black Prince bush yields about half a bucket of fruit, weighing 200–400 g. Tomatoes ripen early and do not lose their flavor after processing, but do not store for long.

Black Moor

This semi-determinate tomato variety is a favorite among gardeners; even in a greenhouse, it grows to no more than five feet tall. Clusters of up to 10 plum-like fruits form above the eighth leaf. When ripe, the tomatoes turn a deep red and become sweet. Their thick skin makes them ideal for canning.

Black icicle

In this tall, mid-season variety, Ukrainian breeders have managed to combine the intricate fruit shape with a surprising flavor. To ensure a good harvest:

1. The bushes are tied to a support.
2. Stepchildren are removed regularly.
3. Three stems are left on the plant.

The Black Icicle tomato is disease-resistant and can withstand temperature fluctuations. Ripe tomatoes resemble oblong plums, have a cute pointed tip, are brown in color, and are covered with shiny skin. The firm fruits weigh 100 g and have a long shelf life.

Black pear

The name of this tall, indeterminate variety perfectly captures the shape and color of its tomatoes. The tomato is characterized by a prolonged fruiting period and is prized for its high yield. The bush, which is trained into two stems, produces several clusters, each bearing a fruit.

When ripe, Black Pear tomatoes acquire a sweet taste and a dark burgundy color, weigh about 100 grams, have a dense skin, and do not crack during transportation and heat treatment.

Black bunch

This indeterminate variety, created over half a century ago by Dutch breeders, remains popular today. The tall tomato bush has thick stems and strong shoots. The clusters produce about a dozen tomatoes, which turn from green to purple as they ripen. The fruits weigh between 30 and 70 grams. They are durable but have a distinctive flavor.

Chernomor

One of the unusually colored tomatoes is a determinate plant with a strong trunk. Large fruits form on the branches, weighing over 300 g when ripe. A Chernomor bush produces approximately 6 kg of tomatoes per season, decorated with longitudinal stripes. They store well due to their thick, dark skin.

Gypsy

This heat-loving variety, named for the dark blush of its fruits, is grown indoors and only planted in fields or garden beds in the south. This tomato is highly productive, thrives in hot, sunny weather, and does not tolerate cold temperatures well. Under favorable conditions, one square meter yields approximately two buckets of dark-burgundy tomatoes.

Japanese black truffle

This indeterminate variety, introduced a few years ago, is not well known to many gardeners, but those who planted one of the latest additions were pleased with their choice. The Japanese truffle produces a moderate yield but is virtually disease- and pest-free. The pear-shaped fruits have a beautiful brown color and glossy skin. They look unique in jars and are prized for their excellent flavor.

Black Russian

The Black Russian tomato will grow up to 1.5 m tall in a greenhouse, attaching itself to a support and producing up to six clusters per bush. This variety is disease-resistant and tolerates low light levels. Ripe fruits are a chocolate brown and weigh approximately 300 g. The fleshy, juicy pulp is rich in sugar and organic acids.

Black Emperor

This indeterminate, high-yielding tomato, bred in South America, is characterized by spreading bushes with strong stems. Up to six fruits are produced per cluster, ripening within three months of germination. The elongated tomatoes contain four chambers containing seeds. The fruits are burgundy in color, covered with glossy skin, and have juicy flesh with a sweet, delicious flavor.

Black Frankenstein

Some gardeners grow the Frankenstein Black tomato in their greenhouses. This American-bred variety is prized for its high yield and large fruit size. The fleshy tomatoes have grainy, juicy flesh and weigh up to 500 g. They are purple, almost black.

Cherry

The Black Cherry tomato is distinguished by tall, vigorous bushes covered with clusters of fruit. This variety requires warmth and sun, requires watering and fertilization, but is rarely affected by cladosporiosis and leaf wilt. With proper cultivation, a single plant can yield up to 5 kg of black-purple fruits with a diameter of 30 mm. The fragrant tomatoes weigh only 20 g each and have a very distinctive appearance.

The sweetest

Tomatoes grown in the open ground under the sun's rays are saturated with sugars, have a pleasant aroma and are tastier than those ripened in a greenhouse.

The following varieties delight with sweet tomatoes and high yields:

• Black Goddess;
• Chocolate;
• Viagra.

In regions with cool climates and short summers, tomatoes must be planted under cover. Among greenhouse varieties, the Ashkelon F1 hybrid produces the tastiest fruits. They have a round shape and glossy, dark burgundy skin. Sweet, miniature tomatoes at the Japanese truffle.

The most fruitful

The Black Moor variety produces up to 18 tomatoes on long clusters. When ripe, each dark cherry-colored fruit weighs 45–50 g, and a single bush yields up to 6 kg.

The yield is pleasing:

• Little black boy;
• Brown sugar;
• Chernomor;
• Japanese truffle;
• Gypsy.

All of these tomatoes are tall, tie to a support, are disease-resistant, and produce 4 to 8 kg of dark-colored tomatoes on a single bush.

Early maturing

Gardeners plant vegetable crops with varying ripening times. Early varieties are grown even in harsh climates; they don't have time to become susceptible to late blight. Early-ripening tomato varieties include:

• Black bunch;
• Chocolate cream;
• Congo F1.

The Nergo Pragna hybrid tomatoes, a low-growing variety, are ready to harvest in just 80 days after planting. They boast a beautiful purple color, an elongated shape, and weigh up to 150 g each.

Short stature

Black tomatoes typically grow on bushes between one and a half and two meters tall, supported by a support. The smallest variety is the determinate "Shaggy Kate." The 70-cm-tall plant produces purple, pubescent fruits.

Tomatoes Morado and Amethyst Jewel have a height of 1.2–1.3 m.

Phytophthora resistant

Black Plum tomatoes are grown in cool climates. This variety tolerates low temperatures and is immune to most diseases. The fruits ripen early and have shiny, dark cherry-colored skin. They are resistant to late blight. Black bunch, Vranac F1, Chocolate bunny, Japanese truffle.

For the middle zone

In temperate climates, tomatoes are grown in greenhouses. Breeders have also developed varieties suitable for planting in greenhouses. Exotic tomatoes with dark-colored fruits thrive in central Russia: Black Prince, Japanese Truffle, Black Bunch, Gypsy, Negritenok, and Chocolate.

For the Urals and Siberia

Even in cold climates, where summer ends quickly and winter temperatures drop to -40°C, vegetables are grown. Early tomato varieties are planted in heated greenhouses. Fruitful tomatoes like the Black Prince, Chocolate Bunny, the Vranac hybrid, and Abruzny, with their dark, striped fruits, thrive in Siberia.

How to Grow Black Tomatoes

Exotic tomatoes, like classic varieties, prefer fertile, loose soil and good light. To speed up ripening, seedlings are grown first.

Soil preparation

To create a light, porous, and moisture-retaining soil, leaf mold is mixed with peat, sand, and humus, and perlite or sawdust is added. The soil for tomato seedlings is disinfected by steaming, freezing, or pouring boiling water over it.

Seed preparation

The seeds, collected independently, are sorted to identify empty and weak seeds that will not germinate. The seeds are soaked for 12 hours, then placed in a growth stimulant—aloe vera juice or an ash solution. Before planting, the seeds are wrapped in cheesecloth and placed in the refrigerator to harden.

Step-by-step instructions for sowing

Expanded clay or small pebbles are placed at the bottom of the seedling growing trays to create a drainage layer. Then, prepared or store-bought nutrient-rich soil is added. Water the soil, make furrows every 4 cm, and plant the seeds in them, covering them with soil. The distance between the seeds should be at least 20 mm. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it in a bright room with a temperature of at least 22°C.

When sprouts appear, reduce the temperature to 18°C. Seedlings should be regularly sprayed with water and watered every two weeks, fed with an ash solution, and illuminated with phytolamps. When three leaves appear, the seedlings are pricked out.

Aftercare of tomatoes

Grown tomato plants are moved to the garden bed or greenhouse when warm weather sets in and frost is no longer expected. Harden them off in the fresh air 10 days before planting. Caring for black tomatoes involves:

• bush formation;
• removal of excess shoots and stepsons;
• fastening to the support.

Typically, no more than three stems are left on tall tomatoes. They are watered weekly and the soil is thoroughly loosened. Black tomatoes are sprayed with an ash solution during flowering. General-purpose fertilizers are used for feeding, and superphosphate and potassium salt are added when fruit appears. Tomatoes must be trained, regardless of whether they are grown in a garden bed or a greenhouse.

To prevent diseases, bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or urea. If pests appear, biological treatments are used.

Reviews from experienced gardeners

Along with classic varieties, some gardeners try growing exotic tomatoes and share their experiences with other gardeners, describing the advantages of a particular tomato and what they didn't like about it.

Tatyana Petrovna, 50, Voronezh: "I've been planting the Black Prince variety for several seasons in a row. The bush grows up to 1.5 m, and I train it into two stems. After abundant flowering, a cluster produces 6 to 9 fruits. When ripe, they develop a sweet flavor, turn a deep purple, and weigh an average of 300 g. My family really likes these tomatoes."

Stepan Timofeevich, 65, Ryazan: "I've been growing tomatoes for a long time, but last spring I planted the Black Bunch in a greenhouse for the first time. Almost all the seeds sprouted, and the bushes grew to 1.5 meters tall, which I secured to a trellis. They produced a large number of small fruits, which, when ripe, turned an interesting purple, almost black color. I didn't really like the sweet taste of the tomatoes; they weren't tart enough."