Born from Cornell University's breeding program in the 1980s, Green Grape tomato defies expectations with its vibrant green skin hiding remarkably sweet, tart flesh that pops with bright flavor. This determinate cherry tomato reaches 72 inches tall and delivers clusters of 1-2 oz yellow-green fruits in just 65 days, thriving across zones 2-11. What appears to be an unripe tomato is actually a fully mature delicacy that brings unique color and sprightly taste to summer salads.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
72 in
Height
24 in
Width
24 in
Spacing
65–65
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
72in H x 24in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
Green Grape tomato stands apart as one of the most flavorful green tomatoes ever developed, combining the genetics of Yellow Pear and Evergreen varieties into something entirely new. Despite its determinate classification today, this variety was originally introduced as indeterminate in 1986, showing how even tomato habits can evolve over time. The small fruits develop in impressive clusters of 4-12 tomatoes, each one delivering that signature sweet-tart burst that makes grape tomatoes so addictive. Ripeness reveals itself through subtle color shifts from pure green to hints of orangey-yellow, along with gentle softening and easy stem separation.
Common Uses
Green Grape tomatoes excel in fresh applications where their unique color creates visual intrigue alongside traditional red varieties in summer salads and mezze platters. Their intense sweet-tart flavor and satisfying pop make them perfect for snacking straight from the vine, while their unusual green appearance serves as a conversation starter at farmers markets and dinner parties. The determinate harvest pattern makes them ideal for preserving and canning projects, allowing gardeners to process entire clusters at once.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-9 weeks before the last spring frost date, planting at 1/4 inch depth in well-draining soil. Seeds require warm conditions for optimal germination and should be grown in containers until all frost danger passes.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after all threat of frost has passed, hardening off seedlings gradually. Space plants 24 inches apart with careful handling to avoid root disturbance during the transition.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits show subtle color changes from pure green to hints of orangey-yellow or golden hue, combined with slight softening to the touch. Ripe fruits detach easily from the stem with gentle pressure and should practically fall off with a light nudge. Since this determinate variety produces clusters of 4-12 fruits simultaneously, harvest entire clusters at once rather than individual tomatoes. Check plants every couple of days during peak season for optimal fruit quality.
Pruning
Begin pruning when plants reach approximately 24 inches high and start producing small suckers. Remove excess foliage regularly to encourage better airflow and reduce disease risk, focusing on maintaining the plant's natural determinate bush structure while preventing ground contact.
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)
History & Origin
“Green Grape tomato emerged from Cornell University's breeding program in the 1980s as an innovative cross between Yellow Pear and Evergreen tomatoes. Introduced to gardeners in 1986, this variety represented something entirely new in the tomato world, creating one of the most flavorful green varieties available. Initially classified as indeterminate upon its release, growers over the decades have observed its habit shifting toward a more determinate, bush-like growth pattern, demonstrating how varieties can adapt and change through selection over time.”