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Tomatoes · Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Beauty'
Black Beauty
Black Beauty: 90-100 days to harvest, 8-12 days to germinate, 24-30 inches between plants, pH 6.0-6.8, hardy in zones 4-11. Fruit runs to about 1 1/2-2 1/2". Give it full sun (6+ hours) and high water. It will crop in a container.
90-100days to harvest
8-12days to germinate
Z4–11USDA zones
Easy to Moderatedifficulty
Sowing
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- High — consistent moisture needed
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with high organic content
- Soil pH
- 6.0-6.8
- Spacing
- 24-30 inches
- Height
- 2-3 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Deep purple-black with dark green shoulders
- Size
- 1 1/2-2 1/2"
- Shape
- Round to slightly flattened globe
- Flavour
- Rich, complex flavor with sweet and smoky notes, well-balanced acidity
In the kitchen
Fresh slicing, salads, sandwiches, grilling, specialty cooking for color contrast
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Tomato hornworm, aphids, flea beetles, cutworms
- Diseases
- Early blight, septoria leaf spot, fusarium wilt
- Resistance
- Good general disease resistance, less susceptible to cracking than most dark varieties
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | April – May | June – July | — | October – September |
| 3 | April | June – July | — | September – October |
| 4 | March – April | June | — | August – October |
| 5 | — | May – July | — | — |
| 6 | — | May – July | — | — |
| 7 | — | May – June | — | — |
| 8 | — | April – June | — | — |
| 9 | — | March – May | — | — |
| 10 | — | March – April | — | — |
| 11 | — | February – March | — | — |
| 12 | January | January – February | — | May – July |
| 13 | January | January – February | — | May – July |
Companion planting
24 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 10 to avoid.
BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and hornworms while potentially improving eggplant flavor
TomatoesShare similar growing conditions and can confuse pests that target nightshades
PeppersCompatible nightshade family members with similar soil and water requirements
MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles that commonly attack eggplants
NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from eggplants
OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Hot PeppersDeter larger pests like rabbits and deer from eating eggplant leaves
CatnipRepels flea beetles, ants, and aphids that damage eggplant foliage
BasilRepels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent
CarrotsHelp break up soil for tomato roots and don't compete for nutrients
ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
ChivesRepel aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
OreganoRepels many insect pests and may enhance tomato growth
LettuceProvides ground cover to retain moisture and doesn't compete heavily for nutrients
LavenderRepels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
GarlicRepels aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles while improving soil health
ChivesPrevents black spot and aphid infestations through natural sulfur compounds
CatmintDeters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects
AlyssumAttracts predatory insects that control aphids and other rose pests
ClematisProvides complementary root depth and attracts pollinators without competing for nutrients
ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Avoid
FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit eggplant growth and development
Black WalnutReleases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in eggplants
Pole BeansCan climb and shade eggplants, reducing their heat and sunlight requirements
Black WalnutProduces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
FennelInhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
BrassicasCompete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
CornBoth attract corn earworms and tomato hornworms, increasing pest pressure
Black WalnutReleases juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and causes yellowing
Large TreesCompetes for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that promotes fungal diseases
BrassicasHeavy feeders that deplete soil nutrients needed by roses
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 27
- Protein (g)
- 0.83
- Fat (g)
- 0.63
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 5.51
- Fibre (g)
- 2.1
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 27.2
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.98
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 4.2
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.06
- Folate (µg)
- 10
- Calcium (mg)
- 11
- Iron (mg)
- 0.33
- Magnesium (mg)
- 11.9
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 28
- Potassium (mg)
- 260
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.2
Where to buy seed and equipment
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the tomatoes growing guide.
Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
DarkGrow forum
Grown Black Beauty?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other tomatoes with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Black Beauty suits these too.
- Paul Robeson 90 days
- Brandywine Pink 85 days
- Pineapple 85 days
- Kellogg's Breakfast 85 days
- German Pink 85 days
- Beefsteak 85 days