VegetableTomato
Rosso Sicilian Tomato
Rosso Sicilian Tomato is a robust heirloom indeterminate variety that produces firm, meaty fruits perfect for slicing or stuffing. These red tomatoes mature in 70-79 days and grow to around 5 ounces each, with the solid flesh characteristic of traditional Sicilian tomatoes. Thriving in hardiness zones 4-9, this open-pollinated cultivar delivers the kind of reliable productivity and flavor depth that made it a kitchen staple across Mediterranean gardens for generations.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
TypeIndeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-9
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The firm, solid flesh sets Rosso Sicilian apart from many modern slicing tomatoes, making it equally capable as a fresh slice on a plate or as filling for stuffed preparations. Its indeterminate growth habit means the plant keeps producing throughout the season, and it resists several serious tomato diseases including Late Blight, Fusarium Wilt, and Verticillium Wilt. At 74-79 days to maturity, you're looking at relatively quick harvests from transplant, and the open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seeds year after year.
Common Uses
Rosso Sicilian excels as a slicing tomato for fresh eating, where its firm texture and substantial flesh hold up well on the plate. The dense, meaty interior also makes it well-suited to processing into paste or sauce, and its structure is ideal for stuffing with grains, herbs, or cheese. This is the kind of tomato that bridges the gap between table and kitchen, equally at home in a caprese salad or slow-simmered into a concentrated Sicilian sauce.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperatures between 70-80°F for germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge to prevent leggy growth.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Space plants 24 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart. Plant slightly deeper than the seedling depth to encourage stronger root development.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits have turned fully red and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Rosso Sicilian tomatoes at 5 ounces should feel substantial and firm in your hand. Pick fruits at the mature red stage for best flavor, or harvest slightly earlier if you notice cracks forming. The indeterminate habit means flowers and new fruit will continue forming throughout the season, so harvest regularly to encourage more blooms.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Rosso Sicilian benefits from selective pruning to manage its sprawling growth and direct energy toward fruit production. Remove suckers (shoots that grow in the crotch between the main stem and branches) once they're a few inches long to keep the plant focused. You can also prune lower leaves as the plant matures to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, particularly in humid climates.
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)