21 Foolproof Tomato Varieties Anyone Can Grow

Tomatoes are some of the world’s most popular vegetables. They grow in zones 3 to 11 and can thrive as annuals almost anywhere. 

Originally from South America, humans have cultivated them for thousands of years. Today, there are over 10,000 varieties grown around the world. 

These bush tomatoes grow 3-inch globular fruits. They are resistant to diseases such as Alternaria Stem Cankers, Gray Leaf Spot, and Fusarium Wilt. They can handle a variety of extreme temperatures once they’re established. 

As determinate varieties, they’ll produce one large harvest roughly 78 days after transplanting. Start these varieties indoors 4 to 6 weeks before you plan on transplanting them. Use a heating mat to keep the soil above 75°F (24°C). Plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep in well-drained soil amended with plenty of organic material. 

Once they establish outdoors, they’ll stay under 3 feet tall and under 2 feet wide. They’ll put on a huge crop of delicious fruit. Enjoy them in sauces, stews, soups, or sliced in sandwiches. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Gardener’s Delight’

There’s no better cherry tomato than ‘Gardener’s Delight’ varieties if you’re looking for a trouble-free experience. These cherry tomatoes grow quickly and mature in 65 days or fewer. As long as the seeds are healthy when you sow them, you’ll enjoy a near-perfect germination success rate. 

This German heirloom grows well in a variety of climates. Plant them in well-drained soil and give them plenty of sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Keep up these conditions, and you’ll see seedlings form in under 10 days. 

You can start your seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Check out the Old Farmer’s Almanac website to find your last frost date. Make sure your starter trays are in a warm place, over 70°F (21°C). Sow your seeds at the soil surface, around ⅛ inch deep. 

Once the outside air temperature stays above 50°F (10°C) and the soil temperature is around 60°F (16°C), transplant your seedlings outdoors. Space your plants out two feet apart and grow your plants under a tomato trellis such as this one. 

Keep up with watering and watch for critters and pests. In just a few weeks, you should have delicious, bite-sized cherry tomatoes ready for harvesting. They’ll be great in fresh salads, or you can enjoy them right off the vine. 

Bush Tomato ‘Ace 55’ 

‘Ace 55’ bush varieties are some of the most foolproof tomatoes that you can grow. They produce big, flavorful fruits that are dark red and full of sweetness. They’re less acidic than many other varieties and work great in salads and slices. You can also store them for longer in cans or jars. 

These varieties are resistant to cracking and can stand up to many diseases. Start them indoors or sow them directly outdoors if you live in a mild climate. 

After around 80 days, these determinants will produce a large crop over a week or two. The fruits can be up to 8 ounces. Give them plenty of water and sunlight, and grow them in nutrient-dense soil amended with compost. Mulch around your plants to give them extra protection from the cold. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Supersweet 100’ 

‘Supersweet 100’ cherry tomatoes are incredibly easy to grow from seed. They germinate quickly and produce huge clusters of juicy fruits. 

These varieties are hybrids and are extra resilient to pests and diseases. Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, and other diseases that regularly destroy tomato crops are no match for these varieties. 

As indeterminate varieties, you’ll have to provide plenty of support for your plants as they grow. Tomato trellises or A-frame supports work well. 

Sow them directly into the ground once the soil is over 65°F (18°C). Or, you can start your seeds indoors. It helps to use a heating mat to get the seeds to germinate quickly. Once your seedlings emerge, plant them outside in well-drained soil amended with organic compost. 

Pole Tomato ‘Golden Jubilee’

‘Golden Jubilee’ tomato varieties are disease-resistant, foolproof, indeterminate varieties. They produce tons of golden fruit that’s packed with flavor and juice. They’ll fruit throughout the growing season and are some of the most productive tomato varieties you can grow. 

They were released to gardeners in 1943 and became a popular variety for survival gardens because of their productivity and ease of cultivation. They are also resistant to Alternaria Stem Cankers. 

Start your seeds indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Transplant outdoors once the outside air temperature is above 45°F (7°C). Sow your seeds ¼ inch deep and keep the soil nice and moist. You should be able to enjoy your first harvests 75 to 80 days after transplanting. 

Give these plants plenty of support as they grow. Use a tomato trellis or A-frame support to let them climb. Harvest the fruit once it’s deep golden and soft. Use them in juices, sauces, salsas, or soups for rich tomato flavor and unique color. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Sun Gold’

The ‘Sun Gold’ cherry tomato is among the most delicious and foolproof varieties available. They’re also some of the sweetest, with juicy fruits that have an irresistible tomato flavor. They produce so many bite-sized fruits that it’s hard not to want to plant them every year. 

These varieties need very little maintenance and care. They’ll produce tons of fruit in under 60 days after you transplant them outdoors. Because of their vine-like growing habit, you’ll need to grow them under a support or trellis. Once they take off, you can basically leave them be, with just basic watering. 

Besides their fruit, they’re disease-resistant and can handle brief exposure to colder temperatures. Give them plenty of sunlight, ideally over 6 hours. Enjoy them straight off the vine or use them in salads or roasts. 

Pole Tomato ‘Black Krim’

If you live in a warmer climate, ‘Black Krim’ tomatoes are a must! These delicious and huge fruits are packed with flavor and a deep black color. They have a richness few other varieties can match. They’re great in sauces, stews, salads, or eaten right off the vine. 

They were first bred in Russia and Ukraine. They’re constantly used in gourmet recipes in major restaurants around the country. You’ll see them in farmers markets and gourmet grocers for higher prices than many other varieties. 

Start these seeds indoors and plant them several weeks after the last frost. If you live in colder regions, be extra careful not to expose them to frost or severe cold snaps. Once mature, the vines will grow to over 6 feet and need tall trellises to keep their shape. The fruits will grow to be upwards of 12 ounces. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Cherry Falls’

If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow, foolproof tomato variety for containers or hanging baskets, look no further than ‘Cherry Falls.’ These cherries grow as short bushes and produce tons of fruit within 55 to 65 days. If you grow them in hanging baskets, you’ll enjoy their beautiful ornamental foliage as much as their delicious fruit. 

Start them indoors before the last frost. Transplant them to containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture. Plant them in a mixture of organic compost and well-drained soil. 

Pole Tomato ‘Cherokee Purple’

These classic heirloom tomatoes are super easy to grow and worth the trouble. According to sources, ancestors of these varieties were first cultivated in Tennessee by a Cherokee family and then further bred by seed savers.

The fruits have an intense flavor with a hint of smoke and a touch of sweetness. Their color is deep purple and lovely in fresh summer salads. The fruits can grow to be beefsteak-sized and super juicy. 

You’ll need a large trellis or support poles to grow these indeterminate vines. They’ll keep producing tons of vine-ripened fruits throughout the growing season. 

Bush Tomato ‘Italian Roma’

‘Italian Roma’ bush tomato is a classic, foolproof variety used in sauces, canning, soups, curries, and stews. It’s a determinate variety, meaning it’ll produce one large harvest. 

Besides being versatile, they’re some of the easiest crops you can grow. You won’t have to do much maintenance on the plants. Grow them inside a tomato cage to help them keep their shape. Keep their soil moist and provide a little organic compost around the soil. 

I prefer starting my seeds indoors and transplanting my seedlings outside once the spring temperatures are consistently above 45°F (7°C). After around 80 days, you can harvest large red fruits bursting with flavor. 

Pole Tomato ‘Moneymaker’

‘Moneymaker’ tomatoes are big, juicy, and packed with flavor. They’re very easy to grow and produce high yields after around 75 to 80 days after transplanting. The vines grow to over 6 feet long, producing tons of ripe fruit throughout the growing season. 

Like its namesake, ‘Moneymaker’ varieties are popular with commercial growers. Start your plants by seed indoors or sow directly into the ground outdoors once soil temperatures are above 60°F (16°C). Grow them under a supportive trellis or A-frame support. 

The plants tolerate high summer temperatures and high humidity. They’ll grow in just about any region of the US. Give them full sun and keep them away from frost, and they’ll flourish with ease. 

Bush Tomato ‘Mountain Merit’

The ‘Mountain Merit’ tomato is a large beefsteak variety that is foolproof and beginner-friendly. It won the All-American Selections Heartland award for disease resistance and high yields. 

These determinate plants produce a huge harvest around 75 days after transplanting. I prefer to start these plants indoors before the last frost. Sow your seeds ¼ inch deep in well-drained soil. After they’re 4 to 6 inches tall, transplant them outdoors or plant them in containers such as these grow bags. 

If you love slicing tomatoes, you won’t regret planting these in your garden this year. They take very little care and attention. If these are your first tomato plants, you’ll be in for a treat. 

Pole Tomato ‘Oxheart’

Although these pole varieties take a little extra support, they’re very easy to grow. ‘Oxheart’s are some of the best fruits for sauces and salsas, with a rich flavor and supreme texture. They have a balanced sweetness and acidity, which makes them so valued by cooks. 

Start your seeds indoors before the last frost. Transplant them once outside air temperatures are above 50°F (10°C) and the soil is above 70°F (21°C). As the vines mature, they’ll thrive on large supports. Keep up with training the vines, and they will produce tons of heart-shaped fruits throughout the growing season. 

These popular indeterminate vines will start producing fruits in mid-summer. As long as the vines have consistent water and full sun, they’ll produce fruit until the fall. 

Bush Tomato ‘San Marzano’

‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are my favorites for canning and making sauces, and they’re practically foolproof in the garden. They taste outstanding as a base ingredient in North Indian curries or Italian pasta sauces. In the store, these tomatoes can go for a lot when they’re fresh. However, they’re incredibly easy to grow in your home garden. 

Sow your seeds indoors before the last frost. Transplant your seedlings outside when the weather is above 45°F (7°C) and the soil is close to 70°F (21°C). Because they’re determinate bush varieties, they don’t need large trellising. 

You’ll get a large harvest in the summer of sweet, intensely flavored fruits with deep red color. After harvesting, you can try canning them or adding them to stews or sauces. 

Pole Tomato ‘Pineapple Pole’

If you want to grow a delicious, foolproof heirloom variety that takes very little effort, ‘Pineapple Pole’ tomatoes are the way to go. These beefsteak varieties produce massive fruits that can weigh almost 2 pounds. They have few seeds and a complex flavor, with minimal tartness when they’re ripe. 

These plants mature in around 90 days. Start them indoors before the last threat of frost has passed. Space your plants 2 to 3 feet apart to encourage plenty of aeration. 

These indeterminate varieties will produce tons of yellow to orange fruit throughout the summer and fall. The only maintenance task you’ll have is training them to grow vertically. To do this, use trellises or sturdy supports. 

Bush Tomato ‘Glacier’

’Glaciers’ are some of the first fruits to ripen in the summer. They’re tolerant of cool temperatures and will produce tons of delicious fruit into the fall. In mild climates, you can harvest crops into early winter. 

Plant their seeds ¼-inch deep in warm soil. Even though they can tolerate cold temperatures, it’s best to start them indoors or directly sow them once the weather is consistently above 45°F (7°C). They won’t set fruit unless they have consistent warm temperatures and full sun throughout the growing season. 

These bush varieties prefer to grow under a trellis or support to keep their shape. You’ll enjoy large fruits in under 60 days. They make excellent slicing tomatoes for sandwiches or salads. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Chocolate Cherry’

‘Chocolate Cherry’ produces some of the most delicious fruit you’ll ever taste. They look stunning as well, producing small red fruits that are full of sweetness and flavor. 

These varieties are resistant to heavy rains and rarely crack. They self-pollinate and germinate quickly. Start them indoors with the help of a germination mat. Once your seedlings emerge, transplant them outdoors in a bright, sunny spot. 

After around 70 days, you’ll start to enjoy your first harvests. Harvest individual fruits and keep your vines growing on trellises. Once mature, these vines can reach heights of up to 6 feet. 

Pole Tomato ‘Green Zebra’

‘Green Zebras’ are among the most unique and visually appealing varieties you can grow. They’re also quite easy, even for beginners. You’ll love their green and yellow coloration almost as much as their sweet and complex flavor. 

One of the best features of these tomatoes is their resistance to cracking. Even in high moisture environments, their skins will stay intact. 

These fruits will ripen roughly 75 days after transplanting. Plant them in well-drained soil and give them plenty of sun. They’ll thrive in hot climates and handle periods of drought. Provide a layer of mulch around your plants to help seal in the moisture in the soil. 

Cherry Tomato ‘Patio Choice’

‘Patio Choice’ cherry tomatoes are plump and juicy, with beautiful yellow coloring and satisfying flavor. Like their namesake, they do well in containers and are some of the best varieties for growing on patios. 

Besides their flavor and coloring, they mature and produce fruit in under 50 days. The plants are small and bushy, with compact growth. They’re extremely disease-resistant and heat-tolerant. They’re some of the best options if you live in humid climates such as Florida. 

Sow your seeds at a depth of ⅛ inch in soil that’s around 80°F (27°C). Cover them with a thin layer of soft, well-drained soil and keep them moist. Once you taste these delicious fruits in salads, salsas, or straight off the plant, you’ll know why they’re All American Selections winners!

F1 Tomato ‘Early Girl’

‘Early Girl’ hybrids are easy to grow, drought tolerant, and resistant to many diseases such as wilts and rots. Healthy vines grow fast and produce fruit early in the season. They thrive even if you skip watering them once in a while. 

Sow your seeds indoors or outdoors and grow them in a sunny location. Grow them where the soil remains between 75 and 85°F (24-29°C). Amend the soil with plenty of organic compost. 

Keep your plants away from frost, and they should flourish with very little effort. To help, transplant your seedlings outdoors at least a month after your expected last frost date. Some gardeners add row covers and mulch to their outdoor plants for extra protection from the cold. 

Bush Tomato ‘Supremo Bush’

These super delicious and versatile bush varieties are easy to grow and work magically in sauces and soups. After they ripen, you can harvest your crops and can them or reduce them over high heat for sauces. 

These short-statured plants are super easy for beginning gardeners. Water them well and grow them in direct sunlight. They are resistant to diseases such as bacterial speck and Verticillium wilt and tolerant of high temperatures. If you live in a dry and hot climate such as Southern California, you’ll have extra success growing these award-winning varieties. 

A trick to getting these plants is burying them deep in the soil after transplanting. This trick helps your plants grow healthy roots. Amend the soil with plenty of organic compost and try mulching around the plants to conserve the soil’s moisture.