VegetableTomato
Fox Cherry Tomato
Fox Cherry might just be the cleverest tomato in the garden, producing unusually large cherry fruits on tall, rangey vines that tower 4-6 feet high. These prolific indeterminate plants keep cranking out sweet, tangy tomatoes from midsummer through frost, typically ready in 80-89 days from transplant. With impressive disease resistance including Fusarium Wilt, Late Blight, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus, they thrive across zones 2-11. What sets Fox Cherry apart is its generous fruit size that bridges the gap between cherry and slicing tomatoes, perfect for grilling, quartering, or eating fresh.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
72 in
Height
TypeIndeterminate
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
72in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Fox Cherry stands apart from typical cherry tomatoes with its notably larger fruits that can be sliced, quartered, or skewered whole for grilling and chunky salads. The vigorous indeterminate vines produce continuously throughout the season, protected by distinctive large potato leaves that shield the developing fruits from intense sun. These two-bite wonders hang conveniently at comfortable picking heights along the sturdy vines, making harvest a pleasure rather than a chore.
Common Uses
Fox Cherry excels in applications where typical cherry tomatoes fall short, thanks to its generous size that accommodates slicing into small rounds, quartering for chunky salads, or threading onto skewers for grilling. These versatile fruits work beautifully in both raw preparations and cooked dishes, offering the sweet-tart flavor of cherry tomatoes with the substance needed for more substantial culinary uses.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date, planting them 1/4 inch deep in high-quality seed starting mix. Maintain room temperature between 65-85°F for optimal germination and provide adequate light conditions.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings after the last frost date once they have developed two sets of true leaves, spacing plants 18-24 inches apart in rows 36-42 inches apart.
Harvesting
Fox Cherry tomatoes are ready when they reach their full vibrant red color and feel slightly firm but give gently when squeezed. The fruits should come off the vine easily with a gentle twist or pull, typically 80-89 days after transplanting. Check plants every 3-4 days once fruiting begins, as the indeterminate vines produce continuously throughout the season. Use pruners or scissors to snip tomatoes from the plant, leaving a small stem attached to preserve fruit quality and reduce disease transmission risk.
Pruning
Regular pruning is essential for Fox Cherry's indeterminate growth habit. Remove lower leaves after plants have been established in the ground for 3-4 weeks to decrease soil-foliage contact and increase air circulation around remaining foliage. Continue removing excessive foliage throughout the season to promote air circulation and sunlight penetration while reducing disease risk. Prune suckers to direct the plant's energy toward fruit production rather than vegetative growth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“While Fox Cherry's exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, this heirloom variety has been carefully passed down through generations of gardeners who recognized its exceptional qualities. Rather than being bred for specific traits, Fox Cherry developed naturally over time, becoming well-adapted to diverse growing conditions through the patient selection of dedicated gardeners. This heritage variety has earned its place in seed catalogs through decades of reliable performance and outstanding flavor, standing as testament to the wisdom of traditional seed saving.”