Banana Legs Tomato is a delightfully unusual determinate cherry tomato introduced in 1984 that lives up to its whimsical name, the fruits actually resemble tiny, elongated bananas. These compact plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and produce abundantly within 70 to 75 days from transplant, making them quick to reward patient gardeners. The low-acid, meaty fruit delivers a unique flavor that stands apart from round cherry tomatoes, and the plants thrive equally well in garden beds, containers, raised beds, or greenhouses.
24
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
48in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The fruit's distinctive banana-like shape is just the beginning; what really captivates growers is how prolific these compact plants become. Low acidity and a meaty interior make them surprisingly substantial for their delicate appearance. They're genuinely productive even in containers, so even gardeners with limited space can enjoy consistent harvests across the 70 to 75-day growing window.
These vibrant yellow tomatoes excel in fresh eating applications where their unusual shape and meaty texture add visual interest to salads and cheese boards. Their low acidity and concentrated flavor make them particularly well-suited for fresh preparations where you want the tomato itself to shine, the kind of fruit you serve simply with good olive oil and fresh herbs rather than cooking down into sauce. The compact size makes them appealing for snacking straight from the vine.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors approximately six weeks before your last frost date in soil maintained at 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplants are ready to move outdoors once hardened off and soil has warmed sufficiently for this half-hardy annual.
Transplant outdoors after your last frost date, spacing plants 24 inches apart. Ensure soil temperature supports growth around 55 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer for best establishment.
Harvest Banana Legs tomatoes when they reach full color and are fully ripe for peak flavor. Do not refrigerate harvested fruit if you want to preserve the meaty, complex taste. If you pick green fruit, ripen them in a cool, dark area away from direct light, making sure the fruits are not touching one another to prevent soft spots and mold.
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“Banana Legs Tomato was introduced in 1984, emerging as an exciting and unusual elongate variety at a time when round slicing tomatoes and standard cherry types dominated home gardens. This open-pollinated heirloom belongs to a family of botanical oddities that challenged conventional tomato aesthetics, proving that unusual shapes and forms could deliver exceptional flavor alongside visual intrigue. Its survival and continued popularity among seed companies speaks to gardeners' appetite for varieties that are as delightful to look at as they are to taste.”