Heirloom Tomatoes

Tomato Seeds —
241 Varieties

Black, cherry, beefsteak, striped, yellow, white, plum — the full spectrum of Solanum lycopersicum. All open-pollinated heirlooms. All seed-saveable. From €3.25 per pack of 10.

241 Varieties
from €3.25 Per 10 seeds
8 colour groups Red to near-black
55–90 days Seed to fruit

Why Heirloom Tomatoes — and Why Seed

The supermarket tomato represents perhaps 10–15 varieties selected entirely for shelf life and shipping durability — thick skin, uniform colour, slow ripening. The 241 varieties in this catalogue were selected for almost every other criterion: depth of colour, complexity of flavour, unusual morphology, extreme size in both directions, historical significance, and adaptability to cold or short-season climates.

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated — their genetic identity is preserved across generations through natural pollination. Save seed from this season's best fruits, dry it, store it correctly, and you can grow identical plants next year. This is not possible with F1 hybrid varieties, which revert to unpredictable parental combinations in the second generation. Every variety in this catalogue is seed-saveable.

Oreshka Seeds — Insight The Solanum lycopersicum genome was fully sequenced in 2012 by an international consortium — 35,000 genes across 12 chromosomes. Colour variation across the 241 varieties in this catalogue results from just a handful of gene interactions (r, y, og, B, atv loci), yet produces fruit ranging from near-white through every shade of yellow, orange, pink, red, and deep purple-black.

The black and dark-fruited varieties in this collection — Black Prince, Dark Galaxy, Chocolate Stripes, Black Sea Man, Brad's Black Heart, Black Cat, Queen of the Night, and 14 others — owe their colour to anthocyanin accumulation in the skin and lycopene concentration in the flesh. The combination of these pigments with chlorophyll retention in varieties like Kumato produces the complex red-green-brown colouring that no red variety can replicate. These are not marketing novelties; they are genetically distinct and measurably different in antioxidant content.

Oreshka Seeds — Expert Note

All tomato seeds are packed fresh — 10 seeds per pack — and sealed in moisture-proof foil. Correctly stored tomato seed remains viable for 4–6 years at 10°C and low humidity. Dispatched within 2–3 business days to 50+ countries. About our sourcing →

Six Fruit Types — One Genus

Morphology, maturity window, and best use cases for each type in this catalogue.

Black & Dark 21 varieties
Anthocyanin-rich Collector

The most visually striking group — skins ranging from deep mahogany to near-black, flesh from dark red to purple-brown. Anthocyanin accumulation (the same pigment as blueberries) develops in direct sun; shade-grown fruits of the same variety may ripen much lighter. Flavour profile is consistently complex: earthy, wine-like, low in sharp acidity. Most are indeterminate and mid-to-late season.

Key varieties: Black Prince (To8), Dark Galaxy (To32+), Chocolate Stripes (To28), Black Sea Man, Black Cat, Brad's Black Heart, Queen of the Night, Black from Tula Days to fruit: 65–85 from transplant
Cherry & Micro 13+ varieties
High yield Earliest season

Fruit weight ranges from 5 g (Micro Tom, the world's smallest tomato at 15–20 cm plant height) to 30–50 g per fruit. Cherry types produce the highest sugar-to-acid ratio of any tomato category and the most fruit per plant — a single indeterminate cherry plant can produce 200–500 fruits per season. Excellent for containers; many specifically bred for balconies and indoor windowsills.

Key varieties: Micro Tom Yellow (To19), Kumato Mini (To4), Cherry Cocktail, Yellow Summer Sun (To14), Red Belido (To15), Madjino Yellow (To3), Blue Pitz (To36), Peewee (To17) Days to fruit: 55–70 from transplant
Yellow & Orange 36 varieties
Low acid Beta-carotene

Yellow and orange tomatoes carry beta-carotene rather than lycopene as their primary carotenoid. Measurably lower in citric acid than red varieties — the pH of yellow tomatoes averages 4.3–4.6 vs 4.0–4.3 for reds — which gives a sweeter, milder flavour perceived as less sharp. Preferred by gardeners who find red tomatoes too acidic. Includes yellow cherry, yellow pear, orange beefsteak, and golden plum types.

Key varieties: Golden Queen (To24), Yellow Chanterelle (To11), Organza plum (To2), SV Yellow Cherry (To5), Madjino Yellow (To3), Solaris (To23), Persimmon (To37), De Barao Yellow (To35) Days to fruit: 65–80 from transplant
Beefsteak & Large 13+ varieties
200–800 g fruit Meaty flesh

Fruit weight from 200 g to over 800 g. Thick, meaty walls with minimal seed cavity — the highest flesh-to-seed ratio of any tomato type. Ribbed, irregular shapes typical of old varieties like Marmande and Bull's Heart are signs of genuine heirloom genetics, not defect. All are indeterminate and require staking to 1.5–2 m. Long season (80–90 days); prioritise for greenhouse or polytunnel in northern climates.

Key varieties: Marmande (To10), Bull's Heart Pink (To39), Bull's Heart Orange, Ural Giant Red, Osu O Blonde, Malcolm Lincoln, Wine Jug, Vintage Wine Days to fruit: 80–95 from transplant
Plum & Paste 6+ varieties
Low moisture Preserving

Elongated, oval fruits with dense, low-water flesh and thick skin designed for cooking, drying, and preserving. Lower sugar content than cherry types but highest dry matter of any tomato group — Roma-type pastes can lose 50% of their weight when cooked down without the wateriness that plagues slicing varieties. Most are determinate and set all fruit within a 3–4 week window, ideal for batch processing.

Key varieties: Slivka Red plum (To7), Organza Yellow plum (To2), Rio Grande (To12), Roma (To46), Prince Borghese (To21), Rocket (To50) Days to fruit: 68–78 from transplant
Compact & Balcony 8+ varieties
Determinate Container

Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties reaching 20–60 cm with no staking required. Bred for balconies, windowsills, and grow-bags. Micro Tom (15–20 cm) holds the Guinness record as the world's smallest commercial tomato variety. Balcony Miracle and Indoor Gnome are reliable producers even in limited light. Yamal was bred in western Siberia specifically for short, cool summers — to 55-day maturity from transplant.

Key varieties: Micro Tom Yellow (To19), Balcony Miracle (To25), Indoor Gnome (To26), Yamal (To44), Peewee (To17), Northern Baby (To41), Red Riding Hood (To42), Dwarf Pierce's Pride Days to fruit: 55–70 from transplant

Eight Colour Groups

Colour in tomatoes is genetically determined — not a ripeness indicator across varieties. A fully ripe Black Prince is not an underripe red tomato.

Black & Near-Black 21 varieties
Black Prince, Dark Galaxy, Black Cat, Queen of the Night, Brad's Black Heart, Black from Tula, Black Sea Man, Black Oxcart
Deep Red 80+ varieties
Marmande, Rio Grande, Slivka, Kozula 133, Fedora, Ural Giant, Beauty Lottringa, Virginia Sweets, Buyan
Pink & Rose 30+ varieties
Bull's Heart Pink, Volgograd Pink, Pavlovskaya Rosa, Amethyst Jewel, Minnie's Pinstripe
Orange 15+ varieties
Persimmon, Bull's Heart Orange, Exotic Fruit, Heart of Apricot Zebra, Citrine
Yellow & Gold 36 varieties
Golden Queen, Yellow Chanterelle, SV Yellow Cherry, Madjino Yellow, De Barao Yellow, Zlato, Solaris
Green & Striped 12+ varieties
Emerald Apple, Kumato (red-green), Chocolate Stripes, Vintage Wine, Tiger Cub, Harvard Square, Minnie's Pinstripe
Chocolate & Brown 8+ varieties
Chocolate Stripes, Black Moor, Black De Barao, Black Tomato De Barao, Chicken Ryaba
White & Cream 4+ varieties
White Tomato Filling (To40), Casady's Folly, Gem, Golden Ozharovsky
Oreshka Seeds — Insight Black tomatoes accumulate more anthocyanins when exposed to UV light — the same compound responsible for the colour of blueberries and red cabbage. A Dark Galaxy or Black Prince fruit grown in full sun will be measurably darker and higher in antioxidant content than the same variety grown in partial shade. This is not a defect; it is a feature of the genetics.

20 Varieties — A Collector's Reference

Representative picks across type, colour, and use case. Not a complete list — 221 additional varieties available in the shop.

Variety Type Colour Days to Fruit Growth Habit Best For
Black Prince
To8
Black Dark red-mahogany 65–70 Indeterminate First black tomato, reliable early crop
Dark Galaxy
To32
Black Black-red with gold flecks 75–80 Indeterminate Collector display, striking appearance
Chocolate Stripes
To28
Striped Brown-red with green stripes 75–80 Indeterminate Slicing, flavour complexity
Kumato Mini
To4
Cherry Red-green-brown 60–65 Indeterminate Snacking, retail-quality colour
Cherry Cocktail
To58
Cherry Bright red 58–65 Indeterminate High-yield container growing
Micro Tom Yellow
To19
Compact Yellow 55–60 Determinate — 15 cm Windowsill, indoor growing
Balcony Miracle
To25
Compact Red 60–65 Determinate — 40 cm Balcony pots, no staking
Yamal
To44
Compact Red 55–60 Determinate — 30 cm Cold climates, short seasons
Marmande
To10
Beefsteak Deep red, ribbed 80–85 Semi-determinate Classic French market variety
Bull's Heart Pink
To39
Beefsteak Pink-red, heart-shaped 85–90 Indeterminate Slicing, low acid, meaty flesh
Ural Giant Red
To68
Beefsteak Deep red 85–95 Indeterminate Extreme size, 500–800 g fruit
Golden Queen
To24
Yellow Bright gold 70–75 Indeterminate Low acid, mild flavour
Yellow Chanterelle
To11
Yellow Yellow-orange 70–75 Indeterminate Unusual lobed shape, collectors
Persimmon
To37
Orange Deep orange 75–80 Indeterminate Sweet, tropical flavour notes
Slivka Red Plum
To7
Plum Bright red 68–72 Determinate Preserving, drying, sauce
Rio Grande
To12
Plum Red 70–75 Determinate Disease-tolerant, canning
Pineapple
To55
Striped Yellow-red bicolour 80–85 Indeterminate Sweet, complex, striking cut face
Amethyst Jewel
To57
Dark Purple-red (Brad's Gates cross) 75–80 Indeterminate Anthocyanin display, collector
White Tomato Filling
To40
White Cream-white when ripe 70–75 Determinate Stuffing, novelty, very mild flavour
Emerald Apple
To31
Green Stays green when ripe 72–78 Indeterminate Green-ripe novelty, sweet flesh

From Seed to Ripe Fruit

Four fundamentals across all heirloom tomato types — from sowing to harvest.

1

Sow 6–8 Weeks Before Last Frost Indoors

Tomatoes need a long indoor start. Sow at 22–25°C; germination takes 5–10 days at this temperature, dropping to 14–21 days below 18°C. Grow seedlings on at 18–22°C with 14–16 hours of light. At the 2-leaf stage, pot on into 9 cm individual pots. Harden off over 10–14 days before transplanting — sudden exposure to outdoor conditions causes cold shock that delays fruiting by 2–3 weeks.

2

Consistent Watering Prevents Blossom End Rot and Splitting

Blossom end rot (the black, sunken patch on the fruit base) is caused by calcium deficiency — itself caused by irregular watering, not lack of calcium in soil. Water deeply and consistently: allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry, then water thoroughly. Fruit splitting occurs when a sudden large watering follows a dry period and the fruit skin cannot expand fast enough. Mulch around the base keeps moisture more even and reduces both problems by 60–80%.

3

Remove Suckers on Indeterminate Varieties

Indeterminate tomatoes produce suckers — shoots that emerge at the junction between stem and leaf. Left to grow, each sucker becomes a full fruiting stem, creating an unmanageable plant that directs energy away from existing fruit. Pinch out suckers when they reach 2–5 cm on all indeterminate varieties. Determinate and compact varieties (Balcony Miracle, Micro Tom, Yamal) do not need this treatment — removing growth from them reduces yield.

4

Save Seed From Your Best Fruits

All varieties in this catalogue are open-pollinated heirlooms — save seed from your best-performing, best-flavoured fruit each season. Ferment the seed gel in water for 2–3 days to remove germination inhibitors (this mimics natural fruit decomposition). Rinse, dry at room temperature for 2 weeks, then store in a sealed envelope at 10°C and low humidity. Correctly saved tomato seed remains viable for 4–6 years.

Full heirloom tomato growing guide: Step-by-step guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Roma, Marmande, and Prince Borghese are the most forgiving for beginners — all are compact, disease-tolerant, and mature in 70–75 days from transplant. Among coloured heirlooms, Black Prince is reliable and early (65–70 days), making it an excellent first non-standard variety. Avoid large beefsteak types for a first season; they require longer maturation and more consistent watering.
Yes, with an indoor start 6–8 weeks before last frost. Early-maturing varieties (Black Prince, Micro Tom, Balcony Miracle, Yamal) are specifically bred for short seasons and reach ripe fruit in 55–70 days from transplant. Larger beefsteak heirlooms (Marmande, Bull's Heart) need 80–90 days and benefit from a cloche or polytunnel in the UK. All tomatoes are frost-tender; do not transplant until night temperatures are consistently above 10°C.
Determinate varieties grow to a fixed height (typically 60–120 cm), set all their fruit over a 2–4 week window, and then stop. They need little or no staking and suit container growing and small gardens. Indeterminate varieties keep growing and fruiting until frost kills them — they can reach 2 m or more and produce continuously from midsummer onwards but require strong staking or caging. Most heirloom beefsteak and black tomatoes are indeterminate.
Compact and dwarf varieties — Micro Tom (15–20 cm), Balcony Miracle, Indoor Gnome, Peewee — are specifically suited to permanent container culture, including indoor windowsills year-round. Standard varieties need a minimum 15–20 litre container. Tomatoes are perennials in frost-free conditions; overwintered plants resume fruiting 4–6 weeks earlier than fresh seedlings the following spring.
Cherry and mini varieties (Micro Tom, Peewee, Cherry Cocktail) fruit in 55–65 days from transplant. Standard and mid-size heirlooms (Black Prince, Rio Grande, Roma) take 65–75 days. Large beefsteak types (Marmande, Bull's Heart, Ural Giant) require 80–90 days. All timings assume daytime temperatures above 20°C, full sun, and consistent watering. Add 6–8 weeks for total time from seed sowing.
Oreshka Seeds carries 241 tomato varieties — including black, striped, white, green, and ultra-compact types rarely stocked in garden centres, which typically carry 10–20 mainstream varieties. All seeds are open-pollinated heirlooms: you can save seed from your harvest and replant the following year. Prices start from €3.25 for 10 seeds, dispatched in sealed moisture-proof packets within 2–3 business days to 50+ countries.
Oreshka Seeds — Tomato Collection

Browse 241 Tomato Varieties

From €3.25 per pack · Open-pollinated heirlooms · Sealed packets · Worldwide shipping

oreshka-seeds.com · Open-pollinated · Seed-saveable · 2–3 day dispatch