VegetableTomato
Yellow Pear Tomato
Cherry Tomato
Yellow Pear Tomato is a beloved heirloom cherry tomato that produces clusters of small, pear-shaped golden fruits with remarkably sweet flavor and mild character. This indeterminate variety grows 3 to 8 feet tall and reaches maturity in approximately 80 days, thriving in zones 3 through 10 with full sun and moderate water. Originally developed and marketed in Europe during the late 18th century, it has become a favorite among gardeners who value both prolific productivity and the cheerful brightness these little pear-shaped tomatoes bring to summer harvests and fresh eating.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/tomato-yellow-pear-organic-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeForb/herb
Spacing
18-24 inches between plants
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
These teardrop-shaped golden gems are nearly impossible to stop eating fresh from the garden. The thick skin resists cracking even in extreme heat, making them reliable performers in challenging climates, while their very sweet flavor with a subtle tangy undertone makes them equally excellent for fresh eating, salads, or simmered into preserves. Gardeners consistently report that Yellow Pear outgrows nearly everything else in the garden, producing abundant clusters of jewel-like 1 to 2 inch fruits throughout the season.
Common Uses
Yellow Pear excels in fresh eating and salads, where its bite-sized fruits and bright color shine without any preparation. The very sweet, mild flavor makes it particularly appealing for children and those who prefer tomatoes without strong acidity. Beyond the table, the variety produces abundantly enough to preserve into tomato jams, compotes, or preserves, where the mild sweetness and small size make processing straightforward.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
40-50 Days After Sowing
First Harvest
70-80 Days After Transplanting
Last Harvest
Indeterminate - Continues Until Frost
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your final spring frost date. Seeds require temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate and will sprout in 7 to 14 days. Keep soil consistently warm and moist but not waterlogged during germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space transplants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. In zones 3 through 5, wait until late May or early June; in warmer zones, transplanting can occur earlier.
Harvesting
Harvest Yellow Pear tomatoes when they reach full golden yellow color and yield slightly to gentle finger pressure. Pick fruits when fully ripe on the vine for maximum sweetness and flavor. The variety produces in continuous clusters throughout the season, so expect to harvest regularly from mid-summer until the first frost. For green fruits remaining on the vine at season's end, ripen them in a cool, dark area indoors without allowing fruits to touch one another.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Yellow Pear will grow continuously throughout the season and benefits from staking or trellising to manage its sprawling habit and encourage air circulation. Prune lower leaves once plants are established to improve airflow and reduce disease pressure. Some gardeners remove suckers (shoots that form between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production, though the variety's prolific nature means this is optional rather than essential.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
5.5 – 7
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum L.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Duration
Annual, Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Yellow Pear Tomato carries a unique journey through tomato history. Though tomato plants originated in the Americas, this particular variety was first developed and marketed in Europe toward the end of the 18th century, suggesting European breeders selected and shaped the pear-shaped form we know today. The variety has since become an heirloom staple, passed down through generations of gardeners who recognized its combination of reliable production, distinctive appearance, and genuine flavor. For many modern gardeners, it represents a personal milestone: founder Jere Baker of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds grew Yellow Pear as one of his first tomatoes as a child, cementing its place as a gateway heirloom variety that introduces people to the joys of seed saving and heirloom gardening.”