PlantFun
Plant Needs
Characteristics
- Leaf: Compound pinnate leaves with serrated margins, fuzzy medium-green foliage
- Flower: Small, star-shaped yellow blooms in terminal clusters
- Fruit: Deep purple-brown beefsteak-type tomatoes with green shoulders when unripe; flesh is pinkish-red with dense texture
Care Guide
Maintain consistent soil moisture during fruiting to prevent blossom end rot
Feed every 2 weeks once seedlings reach 15 cm tall. Use balanced organic fertilizer; reduce nitrogen levels late in the season to prioritize fruit development over foliage growth
Banana peel compost tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours, dilute at a 1:20 ratio, and apply as a root drench to avoid foliage burn- Remove lower 10–15 cm of foliage to improve airflow and reduce fungal disease risk
- Pinch off side suckers to direct plant energy toward fruit production
- Harvest ripe fruit promptly to encourage continued blooming and fruiting
- Trim yellowing or diseased foliage immediately to prevent spread of pathogens
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets: ASPCA: Foliage and unripe fruit contain solanine, which may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested
Humans: Ripe fruit is fully edible and non-toxic; unripe fruit and foliage contain mild solanine but are rarely consumed in harmful quantities
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Heirloom cultivar with historical ties to the Cherokee Nation; prized for its complex, smoky fruit flavor
Usage: Edible fruit for fresh eating, homemade sauces, and canning; ornamental garden plant with unique fruit coloration
