Plum Tomato
The San Marzano stands as the undisputed king of paste tomatoes, producing medium 3-5 ounce fruits with extraordinary flavor that gourmet and home chefs actively seek out. This indeterminate heirloom reaches 36-48 inches tall and delivers high yields over an extended season, typically around 80 days from transplant (though some sources report 78-85 days). Each plant produces abundant harvests of the classic elongated, pointed fruits that have made San Marzano synonymous with exceptional Italian cuisine.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
48in H x 10in W
Annual, Perennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
What sets San Marzano apart is its superior flavor profile: stronger, sweeter, and less acidic than other paste varieties, with much thicker flesh and fewer seeds than Roma tomatoes. These vigorous indeterminate vines produce insane amounts of medium-sized fruits that excel in both cooking applications and fresh eating. The longer growing season makes them particularly well-suited for warmer climates, while their open-pollinated heritage ensures gardeners can save seeds year after year.
San Marzano tomatoes excel in sauce-making applications including pizza sauce, pasta sauce, and tomato paste, thanks to their thick flesh and concentrated flavor. They're equally excellent for canning projects and fresh eating in salads, offering remarkable versatility that spans from gourmet cooking to everyday meal preparation.
Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in a warm location with temperatures between 70-90°F. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in soil blocks or pots, then transplant to 3-4 inch pots when the first true leaves appear. Maintain strong light and cooler temperatures of 60-70°F to prevent leggy growth, fertilizing every 10-14 days.
Transplant after the last frost when soil has warmed, spacing plants 24 inches apart. Bury plants up to the top 2 sets of leaves to encourage strong root development. Work compost and bone meal into the planting area and protect young plants with row covers if late frosts threaten.
Harvest San Marzano tomatoes when fully ripe for the best flavor, typically around 80 days from transplant. The fruits should feel firm but give slightly to pressure and display their characteristic deep red color. For green tomatoes at season's end, ripen them in a cool, dark area with fruits not touching each other.
As vigorous indeterminate plants, San Marzano tomatoes benefit from regular pruning to maintain productivity. Focus on removing suckers that form in the crotch of each horizontal branch, and train plants to 1-2 main leaders for optimal fruit production.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.