Big Rainbow tomato transforms your garden into an artist's palette, producing massive bi-colored fruits that can weigh up to 2 pounds each. This Minnesota heirloom showcases golden skin with brilliant red streaking throughout the flesh, creating a tie-dye effect when sliced. Hardy in zones 3-10, these indeterminate vines reach impressive heights of 3-8 feet and reward patient gardeners with their first harvest in 100-109 days from transplant, though some sources report harvests as early as 85 days.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
—
Width
18 in
Spacing
100–109
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Big Rainbow apart is its stunning visual drama both on the vine and on the plate. The massive rib-shouldered fruits display gold coloring on the stem end transitioning to red at the blossom end, with neon red streaks swirling through yellow flesh when cut open. These giants regularly exceed one pound and can reach two pounds when grown properly. The variety shows remarkable disease resistance compared to other bi-colored tomatoes, making it both beautiful and dependable for market growers and home gardeners alike.
Common Uses
Big Rainbow excels as a spectacular slicing tomato that transforms ordinary sandwiches into gourmet experiences. Its massive size and striking appearance make it perfect for fresh eating and salads where its colorful flesh creates visual drama. The sweet, rich flavor and impressive size also make it ideal for sharing at farmers markets or garden parties, where its unique bi-colored appearance never fails to start conversations.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last spring frost date, sowing at 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in quality seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 70-80°F during germination using a heat mat if necessary. Seeds typically sprout within 7-14 days under optimal conditions.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures remain consistently above 60°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasingly longer periods before final transplanting.
Harvesting
Harvest Big Rainbow tomatoes when they display their signature coloring: golden yellow on the stem end transitioning to red at the blossom end. The fruits should yield slightly to gentle pressure and can be harvested by gently twisting or cutting from the vine. Since this indeterminate variety produces continuously throughout the season, check plants regularly as fruits can quickly reach their impressive 1-2 pound mature size.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Big Rainbow benefits from regular pruning of suckers to direct the plant's energy toward fruit production rather than excessive foliage. Remove suckers that develop in the crotch between the main stem and branches to improve air circulation and focus the plant's resources on developing those massive fruits.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum L.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Duration
Annual, Perennial
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Big Rainbow tomato has deep roots in American seed saving tradition, originating from Polk County, Minnesota. This treasured heirloom was preserved and passed down through generations of gardeners who recognized its exceptional qualities. The variety found new life through the dedicated work of Seed Savers Exchange members, who ensured this remarkable tomato wouldn't disappear from American gardens. Its journey from a regional Minnesota treasure to a nationally celebrated heirloom demonstrates the power of grassroots seed preservation efforts.”