Cream Sausage is a striking heirloom tomato that brings something genuinely different to the garden: creamy white to pale yellow skin wrapped around an elongated, sausage-shaped fruit about 3 inches long. This determinate paste tomato matures in 80 to 89 days from transplant and reaches just 3 to 4 feet tall, making it surprisingly compact for such a prolific producer. The mild, sweet flavor and low acidity shine fresh or in sauces, while its determinate habit means you'll get a concentrated harvest rather than a trickle throughout the season. It thrives in containers as readily as garden beds, opening up possibilities for patios and small spaces.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
—
Width
24 in
Spacing
80–89
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
The pale, almost creamy coloring is instantly recognizable among tomato varieties, and that distinctive sausage shape makes every fruit feel special as you harvest. Clusters of 3 to 4 inch fruits load the compact plant, which rarely exceeds 4 feet in height, making it far more manageable than sprawling indeterminate types. The mild sweetness and remarkably low acidity create a gentle tomato flavor that doesn't overwhelm delicate dishes, and this variety's willingness to thrive in containers means you can grow it anywhere you have sun and 24 inches of space.
Common Uses
Cream Sausage shines in fresh eating, where its mild sweetness is best appreciated without competing flavors. The low acidity and tender flesh also make it an excellent choice for sauces and salsas, where its subtle flavor can anchor a dish without overpowering other ingredients. The paste tomato classification suggests its suitability for cooking down into concentrated preparations.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Begin seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your estimated final spring frost date. Keep soil temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Space transplants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, planting deep enough that the soil reaches the first true leaves.
Harvesting
Pick fruits when they reach full cream to pale yellow color, typically 80 to 89 days after transplanting. The 3 inch sausage-shaped tomatoes should yield slightly to gentle hand pressure when ripe. Because this is a determinate variety, you'll experience a concentrated harvest window rather than ongoing production throughout the season; plan preservation projects accordingly.
Pruning
As a determinate variety, Cream Sausage needs minimal pruning compared to indeterminate types. Light removal of lower foliage once fruit sets can improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but avoid aggressive pruning that stresses the compact plant.
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
Determinate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)