Cherokee Purple is a beefsteak heirloom tomato reputedly passed down from the Cherokee people of Tennessee and introduced to the seed trade in 1990 by Craig LeHoullier. It produces large, flattened fruit weighing 8 to 12 ounces with dusky rose-purple shoulders shading to brick red. The flesh is dense, meaty and low in acid, making it one of the most celebrated slicing tomatoes among home gardeners. As an indeterminate vine it fruits over a long season and benefits from staking. Widely grown across the United States, it remains a benchmark for rich, old-fashioned tomato flavor and is a staple of heirloom trials and market stands.
Flavor Profile
Rich, sweet and smoky with a complex, well-balanced low-acid taste that many consider the gold standard of heirloom flavor.
Visual Characteristics
Large flattened globes with dusky purple-brown shoulders, red-brown flesh and prominent green gel around the seeds.
Growing Tips
Stake or cage the tall indeterminate vines and mulch well; the thin skin cracks if watering is irregular, so keep soil moisture even.
Resistance Information
Disease Resistance
No notable resistance; susceptible to common foliar diseases in humid climates.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.