Tender warm-season annual fruit. Wide variety of sizes and colours.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 2–11 | −45.6 °C to 10 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| RHS hardiness rating | H1c | 5 °C to 10 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 2–9 | −40 °C and warmer | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–7 | −15 °C and warmer | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
As a tender annual, Tomato doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.
About Tomato
Tomatoes originated in western South America and were domesticated in Mesoamerica, reaching Europe in the sixteenth century where they were treated with deep suspicion for generations. The reason was botanical guilt by association: the tomato is a member of the nightshade family, and its leaves and stems genuinely do contain alkaloids, even though the ripe fruit does not. Varieties fall into two habits that determine how they are grown — determinate types that grow to a set size and crop together, and indeterminate types that keep extending and fruiting until frost stops them.
Growing notes
- Not frost-tolerant — plant out only after the last frost
- Needs consistent watering to avoid fruit splitting
Pet caution: Tomato is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Tomato against your zones