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Types of Tomato Plants: Standard, Hybrid and Heirloom

Gardening Guide: The Everything Tomato Guide: All You Need to Know About Growing, Harvesting, Cooking, and Eating Delicious Tomatoes

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Types of Tomato Plants: Standard, Hybrid and Heirloom

By Bill Dugan, Executive Editor

Multiple tomato species

Tomatoes come in three main types: standard, hybrid, and heirloom. Standard tomatoes are exactly what the name implies—standard—they haven’t been cross-pollinated or altered and don’t have any heritage. Hybrid and heirloom tomato types are explained below:

Sweet Million Hybrid Cherry Tomatoes

Sweet Million Hybrid Cherry Tomatoes

Hybrid tomatoes are the result of cross-pollinating two different varieties of tomatoes to intentionally gain the best traits of both “parent” plants. Planning for disease-resistant tomatoes is one of the biggest benefits of hybrid tomatoes. Hybrids can also be consistent in shape and size, and have longer shelf life. But beware growing second-generation hybrids from seeds—you can’t really be sure the tomatoes will be exactly the same as the plant from which you harvested the seeds. Popular hybrids include Cherry, Early Girl, and Grape.

Red Zebra Heirloom Tomato

Red Zebra Heirloom Tomato

Heirloom tomatoes have been generationally passed down, without cross-pollinating, for 50+ years and were originally reproduced for select characteristics such as shape, size, color (red, green, purple, orange, and yellow, for example), or appropriateness for certain growing climates. Some say that heirlooms are more flavorful than hybrids, and they’ve become much more popular with home gardeners in recent years. Some heirloom tomatoes are perfect for canning because of the right acid content. Popular heirlooms include Black Beauty, Chocolate Stripes, and Red Zebra.

Caution: When it comes to heirlooms, it can be tricky to know when to harvest the tomatoes for optimal ripeness because of the varying colors. Always check what to look for with specific heirloom varieties, so you can harvest at the right time.

Have you tried growing heirloom tomatoes? What challenges have you faced with heirloom tomatoes? Do you think they taste better? Please share your opinion.

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Tags

different varieties of tomatoes, tomatoes

Comments
  • Bj S. August 21, 2024

    Planted Brandywine this year- it is an excellent tomato- it has a rich flavor and not real seedy -a nice firm tomato????

    Reply
  • Susan L. April 29, 2023

    I love heirlooms. I grow Cherokee Purple, Red Brandywine, Black Krim, and Yellow Pear.
    I mix Cherokee Purple with the Supremo Roma for a delicious tomato sauce.

    Reply

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Curator’s Corner
  • Introduction
  • Feature Articles

  • Growing Zones for Tomatoes
  • Types of Tomato Plants: Standard, Hybrid and Heirloom
  • Preventing Cross Pollination of Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Classifications of Tomato Plants: Determinate vs. Indeterminate
  • Varieties of Tomato Plants
  • Growing Tomatoes from Seeds, Cuttings, or Seedlings
  • Growing Tomatoes in Open Land, in Containers, or in Raised Beds
  • Soil Requirements for Growing Tomatoes
  • The Right Sunlight for Your Tomatoes
  • Should You Fertilize Tomato Plants?
  • How and When to Water Tomato Plants
  • Harvesting and Pruning your Tomatoes
  • Storing and Preserving your Tomatoes
  • How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Tomato Diseases
  • What to Do About Pests that Can Harm Your Tomato Plants
  • The Right Way to Weed Your Tomato Garden
  • Tomato Rot: How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Blossom-End Rot
  • Essential Tools and Equipment for Growing Tomatoes
  • The 5 Best Tomatoes for Salsa
  • The 10 Sweetest Tomatoes to Plant
  • Plant Profiles

  • Green Beefsteak Tomatoes
  • Red Beefsteak Tomatoes
  • San Marzano Tomatoes
  • Roma (or Plum) Tomatoes
  • Grape Tomatoes
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Sunchocola Cherry Tomatoes
  • Recipes

  • Tomato Salsa
  • Balsamic Bruschetta
  • Authentic Italian Pizza Sauce
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Stewed Tomatoes
  • Salsa Seafood Soup
  • Roasted Tomato Sauce
  • Cherry Tomato Salad
  • Additional Articles

  • Nutrition Facts about Tomatoes
  • Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Tomatoes
  • Resources about Tomatoes
  • Tomatoes Glossary
  • Related Articles

  • The Biggest Basil and Tomato Companion Planting Benefits
  • 7+ Perfect Plants for an Edible Front Porch Garden
  • The Best Vegetables to Grow in a Greenhouse
  • 5 Tomato Canning Supplies to Preserve Sauce Longer
  • How to Ripen Tomatoes Quickly Three Ways
  • Yellow Leaves on Tomato Plants? 5 Reasons and Remedies
  • How to Prune Tomato Plants, Peppers, Cucumbers and More
  • The 13 Best Grow Lights for Tomatoes and Peppers
  • How to Kill Aphids on Tomato Plants with Stuff from Your Pantry
  • The 15 Best Beefsteak Tomatoes To Grow in 2023
  • How to Stop Vegetable Blight from Ruining Tomatoes
  • Gardening Equipment Every Tomato Gardener Needs
  • How to Grow Your Own Pizza Garden for the Best Pizza Parties
  • How to Avoid Tomato Blossom End Rot
  • How to Make Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock-Pot
  • When to Start Your Tomato Seeds
  • How to Protect Your Tomato Harvest During a Rainy Summer Season
  • The 5 Best Tomatoes for Salsa

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