Auriga is a vigorous indeterminate heirloom tomato that delivers everything a tomato lover craves: balanced tangy-sweet flavor, exceptional productivity, and remarkable crack resistance. Developed by East German breeder Dr. Martin Stein at Quedlinburg, this variety produces abundant clusters of 2- to 3-ounce golden-orange fruits with ruby-blushed, sugar-sweet flesh. Reaching maturity in just 75 days, Auriga thrives in full sun and moderate watering, reaching productive heights when given sturdy support.
Full Sun
Moderate
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The name Auriga, Latin for charioteer, suits this variety's commanding presence in the garden. Golden-orange fruits arrive in clusters of eight to nine, each weighing around 85 grams with that rare combination of balanced acidity and genuine sweetness that makes fresh tomato eating memorable. Its resistance to fruit cracking is a genuine asset for gardeners in humid regions, while the vigorous vine growth promises heavy yields throughout the season.
Auriga shines as a fresh-eating salad tomato, where its balanced tangy-sweet flavor and manageable 2- to 3-ounce size make it ideal for slicing into salads, layering into sandwiches, or eating warm off the vine. The abundance of fruit in clusters means you'll have plenty for fresh consumption throughout the season, though the crack-resistant skin also suits it well for light cooking or preservation if harvests run ahead of immediate use.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain soil temperatures between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge to prevent stretching.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 24 inches apart in full-sun locations with well-draining, fertile soil amended with compost.
Pick fruits when they reach full golden-orange color with a slight give when gently squeezed; they should detach easily from the vine with a light twist. Harvest regularly throughout the season to encourage continued flowering and fruit set. Expect first harvests around 75 days from transplanting. Clusters typically yield eight to nine fruits at a time, so plan for abundant picking once plants reach full productivity.
As an indeterminate variety, Auriga benefits from selective pruning to manage vine sprawl and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce disease pressure from soil splash. Prune suckers (shoots growing between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production rather than excessive foliage, though avoid over-pruning, which can expose developing fruit to sunscald.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Auriga emerged from the meticulous work of Dr. Martin Stein, an East German tomato breeder based at the renowned Quedlinburg breeding station. Developed during an era when Eastern European horticulturists were refining classic tomato cultivars, Auriga represents the legacy of careful selection for flavor, productivity, and practical disease resistance. The variety carries the stamp of mid-20th-century European seed work, where breeders prioritized the qualities home gardeners actually wanted: reliable harvests, superior taste, and freedom from common fruit problems.”