Cherry Ember is a stunning new tomato variety bred at Cornell University by Phil Griffiths after over a decade of development. These luminescent, heart-shaped fruits are streaked with red and gold, glowing on the vine like tiny striped apples. Ready to harvest in just 65 days, this half-hardy annual thrives in full sun and reaches about 5 feet tall, producing an abundance of jewel-like cherries perfect for home gardeners seeking both visual drama and practical yields.
Full Sun
Moderate
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60in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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Bred right here in New York through meticulous work at Cornell University, Cherry Ember represents a new generation of ornamental-quality tomatoes that actually perform in the garden. The fruit's distinctive heart shape and luminous red-and-gold striping make it as much a visual centerpiece as a culinary one. At 65 days to harvest, you're looking at rapid gratification without sacrificing the complexity that comes from careful breeding.
Cherry Ember tomatoes are versatile in the kitchen. Their size and sweet character make them excellent for snacking directly off the vine, adding color and visual interest to salads, or incorporating into pasta dishes where their jewel-like appearance enhances presentation. The heart shape and striped coloring make them particularly striking when halved or quartered for fresh preparations where their beauty shines.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Keep soil temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. Transplant seedlings into individual containers once they develop true leaves and provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before planting outdoors. Transplant after your last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures consistently exceed 50 degrees. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows spaced 42 inches apart.
Cherry Ember tomatoes reach harvest maturity in 65 days from transplanting. Pick fruits when they display their full luminescent red-and-gold striped coloring and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruiting throughout the season. For best flavor, allow tomatoes to ripen fully on the vine before picking.
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“Cherry Ember emerged from over a decade of dedicated breeding work by Phil Griffiths at Cornell University in New York. The variety represents a contemporary breeding achievement, intentionally developed to balance stunning visual appeal with reliable home garden performance. Rather than resurrecting a lost heirloom, this tomato was carefully crafted to become what the breeders believe will be a future classic, combining ornamental beauty with the practical productivity home gardeners demand.”