VegetableTomato
Purple Bumble Bee Tomato
Cherry Tomato
Purple Bumble Bee emerges as one of the most visually striking cherry tomatoes ever bred, with purple-red skin painted in vivid green-gold stripes that look almost too beautiful to eat. Introduced by Fred Hempel of Artisan Seeds in 2014 as part of his celebrated Bumble Bee series, this indeterminate variety delivers sweet, tangy one-ounce fruits in just 70 days from transplant. Hardy across zones 3-11, these crack-resistant cherries keep producing all season long on vigorous vines that reach 4-5 feet tall.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
60 in
Height
—
Width
24 in
Spacing
70–70
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-11
Size
60in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The marbled striping in lime green and bronzy-purple creates an almost painted effect that elevates any dish from ordinary to gourmet. Beyond its stunning looks, this variety delivers exceptional flavor with a complex sweet-tangy balance and high acidity that makes each bite memorable. The crack-resistant fruits hold their quality beautifully, making them outstanding for market sales, while the plants themselves remain unfazed by temperature extremes and produce heavily throughout the entire growing season.
Common Uses
These one-ounce gems excel in fresh applications where their striking appearance can shine. Perfect for gourmet salads where they add both visual drama and bright, tangy flavor, they're also ideal for fresh eating straight from the vine, colorful vegetable trays, and upscale garnishes. Their firm texture and excellent holding quality make them particularly valuable for market sales and restaurant applications.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost, sowing 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperature at 75-85°F for optimal germination, which typically occurs in 7-14 days. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, and provide supplemental lighting to prevent leggy growth.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Harden off seedlings gradually over one week before transplanting. Plant deeply, burying stems up to the first set of true leaves to encourage strong root development, and space 24 inches apart.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits develop their full signature purple-red coloration with prominent green-gold stripes and feel firm but not hard. The cherry-sized fruits, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter, can be gently twisted or snipped from the vine when they reach this stage. As an indeterminate variety, plants will continue producing new fruits throughout the growing season until frost.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Purple Bumble Bee requires regular pruning throughout the growing season. Remove suckers that develop between the main stem and branches to direct energy into fruit production and maintain manageable plant size. Also prune lower leaves to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.
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
“Purple Bumble Bee was bred by Fred Hempel of Artisan Seeds and introduced to the gardening world in 2014 as part of his innovative Bumble Bee series of cherry tomatoes. Hempel's breeding work focused on creating varieties known for their exceptional coloration and flavor, with Purple Bumble Bee representing a breakthrough in combining visual drama with outstanding taste. This newer variety has quickly gained popularity among home gardeners and small-scale farmers who recognize its market potential and unique aesthetic appeal.”