Isis Candy tomato is an open-pollinated heirloom that lives up to its name with intensely sweet, fruity flavor that children can't resist. These indeterminate cherry tomatoes produce stunning 1-inch fruits with golden-orange skin beautifully marbled with red streaks, creating a visual feast as captivating as their candy-like taste. Developed by Joe Bratka in New Jersey through crossing 'Marizol Purple' with another variety, this vigorous grower reaches 36-96 inches tall and delivers its sweet harvest in 60-69 days across hardiness zones 2-11.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
—
Width
24 in
Spacing
60–69
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The marbled yellow-orange fruits with red streaking create an eye-catching display that transforms any garden into a colorful showcase. Each bite delivers an extraordinarily sweet, rich flavor that truly resembles candy, making this variety a guaranteed hit with children and adults alike. These prolific indeterminate vines produce clusters of cherry tomatoes continuously throughout the season, offering both ornamental beauty and exceptional taste. The variety's versatility shines through its ability to thrive equally well in traditional garden plots, containers, or large hanging baskets, making sweet homegrown tomatoes accessible to gardeners with any amount of space.
Common Uses
Isis Candy tomatoes excel as fresh eating treats, perfect for snacking directly from the vine or adding vibrant color and intense sweetness to salads. Their candy-like flavor makes them particularly popular with children, encouraging healthy eating habits through garden-to-table experiences. The beautiful marbled appearance also makes these cherry tomatoes excellent garnishes and decorative elements in both casual and elegant dishes.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before the last spring frost date, sowing at 1/4 inch depth in high-quality organic seed starting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 65-85°F for optimal germination and keep soil consistently moist throughout the germination period.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors when they're 6-8 weeks old with first true leaves developed and all danger of frost has passed. Space transplants 24-36 inches apart in garden plots, raised beds, or containers with adequate support structures already in place.
Harvesting
Harvest when tomatoes display full vibrant yellow-orange color with red marbling and yield gently to slight pressure when touched. Ripe fruits should come off the vine easily with a gentle twist or snip of pruning shears. Pick regularly throughout the season to encourage continuous production, checking plants frequently as fruits ripen at different stages.
Pruning
Regular pruning of lower foliage improves air circulation and reduces disease risk, while removing suckers helps direct energy toward fruit production. As indeterminate plants, they benefit from ongoing maintenance pruning throughout the growing season to manage their sprawling growth habit.
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
“Isis Candy tomato emerged through the dedicated breeding work of Joe Bratka in New Jersey, who skillfully crossed 'Marizol Purple' with another tomato variety to create this exceptional heirloom. Though the exact identity of the second parent remains unknown, Bratka's careful selection and stabilization work brought forth a variety that combines stunning visual appeal with extraordinary sweetness. His efforts preserved these captivating qualities for future generations, allowing this unique cherry tomato to join the ranks of treasured heirloom varieties that gardeners and farmers have maintained through seed saving traditions.”