The Paul Robeson tomato carries a remarkable legacy, named for the legendary opera singer, athlete, and civil rights champion who became an icon in Russia. This smoky-sweet Russian heirloom produces stunning 4-inch fruits with deep maroon to blackish-red skin and dark green shoulders, typically ready in 90 days (though some sources report 70-90 days). Hardy across zones 2-11, these indeterminate plants reach 48 inches tall and deliver a complex, earthy flavor that has earned a cult-like following among tomato connoisseurs.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
18 in
Width
24 in
Spacing
90–90
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
96in H x 18in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
What sets Paul Robeson apart is its extraordinary backstory and equally extraordinary taste. Moscow seedswoman Marina Danilenko shared this treasure with American seed savers in the 1990s, honoring the opera singer who was beloved in Russia for his activism and artistry. The fruits themselves are as multifaceted as their namesake, with brick-red skin hiding a brown center and delivering that distinctive smoky-sweet flavor that consistently wins taste tests. These 6-12 ounce beauties combine balanced acidity with sweetness, making them perfect for both fresh eating and flavorful sauces.
Common Uses
Paul Robeson tomatoes excel in fresh applications where their complex, smoky-sweet flavor can shine. They're perfect for slicing onto sandwiches and adding depth to salads, while their balanced acidity and sweetness make them exceptional for cooking into rich, flavorful sauces. The distinctive earthy flavor and substantial 4-6 inch size make them ideal for showcasing in caprese salads or simply enjoying fresh from the garden with just a sprinkle of salt.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last expected frost date. Sow seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in well-draining seed-starting mix, maintaining temperatures of 70-80°F during germination. Seeds typically sprout in 7-14 days. Transplant seedlings into larger containers when they reach 2 inches and develop true leaves.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and temperatures consistently stay above 60°F. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting, spacing them 24 inches apart in the garden for proper airflow and room for growth.
Harvesting
Harvest when the main body of the fruit is firm and displays the characteristic brick-red to dusky dark red color, with a slight give when gently squeezed. The shoulders may remain green and hard even when fully ripe, which is normal for this variety. Individual fruits can be twisted or cut from the vine as they reach maturity, leaving a small portion of stem attached.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Paul Robeson benefits from pruning suckers to promote better airflow and focus the plant's energy on fruit development. Remove suckers that develop between the main stem and leaf branches to encourage larger fruit production and prevent overcrowding.
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
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“The Paul Robeson tomato emerged from Russia's rich heirloom tradition, developed by breeders who named it to honor the famous African American opera singer, star of the 1936 film Showboat. Paul Robeson was an influential activist, artist, actor, and athlete whose support of pro-Soviet policies made him an icon in Russia but a target of McCarthyism at home in America. Moscow seedswoman Marina Danilenko shared this variety with Seed Savers Exchange founder Kent Whealy in the 1990s, during his mission to connect with breeders and seed savers in the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe. Danilenko contributed about 170 Russian tomato varieties to the Seed Savers collection, but Paul Robeson became one of the most celebrated, carrying forward both agricultural heritage and the memory of a man who stood for justice across cultural boundaries.”