Growing Guide: Everglades Tomato
Growing Tips
Plant Everglades Tomato in full sun and provide rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. The plants thrive in warm weather and can continue producing through intense summer heat. Provide support if desired, as the vigorous plants can become sprawling as they grow and fruit. In cooler climates, grow as an annual after the danger of frost has passed.
| Botanical Name | Solanum pimpinellifolium |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Everglades Tomato, Wild Currant Tomato, Florida Currant Tomato, Wild Tomato, Red Everglades, Yellow Everglades |
| Plant Type | Fruiting annual or short-lived perennial |
| Life Cycle | Annual in most zones; can be perennial in Zone 9+ |
| Mature Size | 3–6 ft tall; can sprawl 6–8+ ft wide |
| Light | Full sun (6–8+ hours daily) |
| Water Needs | Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged |
| Soil | Well-drained; sandy or loamy; tolerates poor soils |
| Fertilizer | Every 2–3 weeks with organic tomato fertilizer or compost tea |
| Container Friendly | Yes; minimum 3+ gallon pot with drainage |
| Support | Benefits from trellis, cage, or fence; can also be grown as a sprawler |
| Bloom Time | Spring through fall (nearly year-round in warm zones) |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 (perennial); grow as annual in colder zones |
| Florida Native | Naturalized (not native) |
| Propagation | Seeds (easy to save) |
| Time to Harvest | 60–75 days from seed; live plants are ready to fruit now |
| Harvest Notes | Pick when fruits are fully colored (red or yellow), slightly soft to touch |
| Special Features | Heat-tolerant, self-seeding, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly |
