Explore new flavors in your garden by growing different varieties of tomatoes. With thousands of options to choose from, this guide will help you pick the best tomatoes for your needs based on flavor, color, and use.
There are so many to choose from, and each one has its own unique flavor. Here are a few of our favorites that you should definitely add to your list you can grow these tomatoes at home.
Table of Contents
Main Types of Tomatoes
There are four main types of tomatoes: determinate, indeterminate, heirloom, and cherry. Determinate varieties tend to be bushier, with a more compact growth habit.
Determinate tomatoes are bushier, with a more compact growth habit and produce a single large crop all at once. They are typically good for canning or other uses where you need a lot of tomatoes at once.
Indeterminate tomatoes are vines that keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. They are known for their long growing season, and the ability to produce fruit until the first frost.
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated and often have unique colors or flavors, passed down through generations. They are known for their unique taste and character, and are often considered to be of superior taste.
Cherry tomatoes are small and round, with dozens of varieties available in a range of colors, from red and yellow to black and green. They are known for their sweet and tangy taste and are often used in salads, sandwiches, and as a snack.
Within these four main types, there are hundreds of different tomato varieties to choose from. Some common varieties include ‘Beefsteak’, ‘Roma’, ‘Grape’, and ‘Cherry’.
The Different Tomato Varieties
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and there are myriad types of tomatoes to choose from. Whether you like them small and sweet or large and savory, there’s definitely a type of tomato out there for you.
Some varieties of tomatoes include but not limited to ‘Beefsteak’, ‘Roma’, ‘Grape’, and ‘Cherry’.
Beefsteak tomatoes are known for their large size and meaty texture, making them perfect for sandwiches and burgers. They have a rich and slightly sweet flavor, and are a great choice for slicing and serving on a plate. They are also known to be one of the most popular tomato varieties.
Roma tomatoes, also known as Italian tomatoes, are small and oblong in shape, with a meaty texture and few seeds. They are known for their high concentration of flesh and low moisture content, making them great for canning, pasta sauces, and drying. They have a slightly sweet and slightly acidic taste.
Grape tomatoes are small and round, similar in shape to grapes. They are known for their sweet and juicy taste, and are often eaten raw or used in salads. They are also great for snacking, and are a popular choice for cherry tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes are small and round, with dozens of varieties available in a range of colors, from red and yellow to black and green. They are known for their sweet and tangy taste and are often used in salads, sandwiches, and as a snack. They are also easy to grow and are a great option for container gardening.
Below some 40 plus different tomatoes, arranged from A-to-Z.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “A”
Ailsa Craig is a salad tomato that is bright red and oblate, with a flattened globe shape. It has few seeds and a good sweet flavor. Tomatoes of this type are often used in BLTs, as they do not fall apart easily and have good flavor. They are also good for canning and freezing. Average mature fruit size is about four ounces.
‘Ailsa Craig’ was developed in Scotland and introduced into the United States in 1887 by James Vick of Rochester, New York.
Amish Paste: Amish Paste tomatoes are heirloom tomatoes that date back to the 1800s. They’re large and have a slight point at the end. The skin is thicker than other types of paste tomatoes, making them ideal for canning, making sauces and preserving.
Ace 55: A determinate, red tomato that is early to mature and produces medium to large fruits. Crack resistant and best when eaten fresh.
Ananas Noire tomatoes: A hybrid, red tomato that gets its name from the Hawaiian word for “pineapple” because of its shape and flavor. It is a determinate variety that produces medium sized fruits.
Arkansas Traveler: An heirloom, red tomato that was developed in Arkansas in the late 1800s. It is a determinate variety that is known for its heat tolerance and disease resistance. It produces medium sized fruits with a tart flavor.
Azoychka: An heirloom, yellow tomato that originates from Russia. It is an indeterminate variety that produces small to medium sized fruits with a sweet flavor.
Tomato Varieties Starting With Letter “B”
Baccatum: This species of tomatoes is also known as Solanum lycopersicum var. baccatum, Peruvian or native cherry tomatoes, and speckled or Sturgeon tomatoes. The fruits of this species are small and range in color from yellow to purple, with brown or black stripes. The flavor can be both sweet and spicy.
Benistort: Developed by Henry Field’s Seed Company in 1948, the Benistort tomato is a variety of the beefsteak tomato. It is round with smooth, deep red skin and weighs around 1 pound (0.45 kg).
Black Plum: Also called Black Pearl, this small black tomato was developed by John Dettmer of Geneva, Illinois. The fruits have a strong flavor and are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Blight-resistant Tomatoes: These varieties have been developed to resist fungal diseases such as early blight and late blight, which can destroy an entire crop of tomatoes quickly. Some types that have been bred for resistance include ‘Mountain Spring’, ‘Mountain Belle’, ‘Legend’, ‘Defiant’, and ‘Resilience’.
Beefsteak: One of the largest varieties of tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes can weigh up to 2 pounds each. They have a deep red color and a slightly sweet flavor.
Brandywine Tomato: Named for the wine region in Pennsylvania, Brandywine tomatoes are large, pinkish-red fruits with a slightly sweet flavor.
Better Boy: A hybrid, red tomato that was developed in the 1950s. It is an indeterminate variety that is resistant to disease and produces large fruits with a juicy, sweet flavor.
Big Beef: A hybrid, red tomato that was developed in the 1970s. It is an indeterminate variety that is resistant to disease and produces large fruits with a juicy, sweet flavor.
Black Cherry: An heirloom, black cherry tomato that was developed in Russia in the 1800s. It is an indeterminate variety which is easy to cultivate. Black cherry tomatoes are perfect for sauces, soups, shish kebabs, and casseroles.
Names of Tomato Varieties Starting With – “C”
The following is a list of types of tomatoes:
Cherry Tomatoes: A type of small round tomato that is typically red, although yellow, green, and black varieties also exist. Cherry tomatoes are sweet and often used in salads or as a garnish.
Currant Tomatoes: A type of small, round tomato that is black or red in color. Currant tomatoes are tart and have a thin skin. They are often used in sauces or as a garnish.
Cherokee Purple: A large, dark purple tomato with a slightly flattened shape. Cherokee Purples have a sweet and earthy flavor.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “D”
Dakota: An heirloom type of tomato that is oval-shaped and pink in color. Dakota is considered a medium-sized tomato, averaging about 6 ounces.
Delta: Delta tomatoes are large, round, and red in color. They are typically found in the southeastern United States.
Denmark: Denmark tomatoes are medium-sized and pear-shaped. They are red in color with a smooth skin.
Dengie: Dengie tomatoes are large, round, and red in color. They are typically found in the UK.
Dulcetta: Dulcetta tomatoes are small and round, with a sweet flavor. They are red in color with a smooth skin.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “E”
Easter Egg– A small, 1-2 ounce oval shaped tomato that is pink to coral in color. Easter Egg tomatoes are one of the most delicious and unique of the heirloom varieties. They can be enjoyed fresh or used in salads, sandwiches, on pizzas or in sauces.
Epic– A bright red, 8-12 ounce tomato that is round and slightly flattened. Epic tomatoes have a sweet flavor with just a hint of acidity. They are great for fresh eating, but can also be used in sauces and salads.
Eva Purple Ball– A large, 12-18 ounce globe shaped tomato that is deep purple with a slight greenish tinge. Eva Purple Ball tomatoes have a rich, earthy flavor that makes them great for fresh eating as well as for cooking.
Expression– An 8 ounce, bright red tomato that is globe shaped with a slightly flattened top. Expression tomatoes have a sweet flavor that makes them perfect for eating fresh or using in salads and sandwiches
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “F”
Floral tomato: A type of tomato with a floral aroma. The flavor is mild and sweet.
Fooled you tomato: A type of tomato that is small and round, with a sweet flavor.
Fresno tomato: A type of tomato that is small and red, with a slightly spicy flavor.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “G”
Get to know some of the most popular tomato varieties that start with the letter “G”, including gardener’s delight tomatoes, green zebra tomatoes, and more.
The list of the tomatoes is given below:
Gardener’s Delight: This type of tomato is also known as the “cherry tomato”. It is a small, oval-shaped tomato that is red in color. This variety is very sweet and is often used in salads.
Goliath: The Goliath tomato is a large, red tomato that can weigh up to 1 pound. This variety is perfect for making sandwiches and burgers.
Green Zebra: As its name suggests, the Green Zebra tomato is green with yellow stripes. This heirloom variety has a tangy flavor that is perfect for salads and salsa.
**Grape tomatoes are small (usually about one inch in diameter), oval-shaped tomatoes that come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and green. They have a sweet flavor and are often used in salads or as a garnish.
**Greenhouse/hothouse tomatoes are grown indoors under controlled conditions year-round. These type of tomato is typically larger and softer than other varieties due to the lack of natural sunlight exposure during growth. Greenhouse/hothouse tomatoes are often used for slicing or making sandwiches but can also be found canned or cooked down into sauces or ketchup.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “H”
Halloween Moon: The Halloween Moon tomato is a small, orange tomato with green stripes. This variety gets its name from its Halloween-like coloration. This type of tomato is perfect for making soup or sauce.
Hawaiian Pineapple: The Hawaiian Pineapple tomato is a large, yellow tomato with red streaks. This variety gets its name from its pineapple-like flavor. This type of tomato is perfect for making salad or salsa
H Tempo: A cultivar of determinate tomato, H Tempo was bred by Hank Cosgrove of Pritchard, BC, Canada. Released in 1997, it was an open-pollinated selection from a Beaufort cross. H Tempo is intended for the home garden and has good disease resistance. The fruit is small (2 ounces), bright red, and very globe shaped.
H-19 Cherry: A cultivar of determinate tomato, H-19 Cherry was bred by Hank Cosgrove of Pritchard, BC, Canada. Released in 1994, it was an open-pollinated selection from a cross between Lucky Cross and Mikado. H-19 Cherry is intended for the home garden and has good disease resistance. The fruit is small (1 ounce), bright red, and very globe shaped.
Habanero: A cultivar of chili pepper, habanero is one of the hottest peppers in the world. It is often used to add spice to food. The habanero pepper is oval or lantern shaped and typically measures between 2 and 6 inches long. The skin is thin and wrinkled with a yellow or orange color. Habanero peppers are typically quite spicy, with a Scoville rating of 100,000 to 350,000 units.
Hale’s Early White Wonder: A cultivar of indeterminate tomato, Hale’s Early White Wonder tomato was bred by W. W. Hale of Evanston, Illinois, United States. Released in 1884, it was an open-pollinated selection from a cross between two unknown varieties. Hale’s Early White Wonder is intended for both home gardens and commercial production. The fruit is large (8 ounces), white or pale yellow in color, and globular in shape with smooth skin. It has a mild flavor with no acidity.
Hardie: A cultivar of determinate tomato, Hardie was bred by Jody Williams of Pender County Cooperative Extension in Burgawe North Carolina United States . Released in 2009 it was an open pollinated variety that was selected as a best performer in NC field trials.
Hardie has good disease resistance including Fusarium wilt Races 1 & 2 Separate blossom end rot tolerance as well as early leaf spot races 1 & 2 .The fruit are medium sized at 6 ounces deep red globular with good flavor
Heartland: A cultivar of determinate tomato , Heartland was bred by Scott Tyler Dobson Missouri United States . It is an open pollinated variety that arose as a sport mutation from Mountain Pride .
Heartland has good disease resistance including fusarium wilt races 1 & 2 Verticillium wilt race 1 as well NFLVR .The fruit are large at 10-12 ounces pink oblate with good flavor
Heirloom Tomato: An heirloom tomato is a popular type of tomato that is often passed down through generations due to its desirable traits such as flavor, size, shape, or color.
Heirloom tomatoes come in a wide range of colors including red, yellow, green, black, blue, brown, purple, and others. They can also vary significantly in size, from tiny cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes.
Heirloom tomatoes typically have good flavor but may not be as productive or disease resistant as some modern varieties.
Tomato Varieties’ Names Starting With Letter “I”
Ildi
The Ildi tomato is a yellow cherry type. It is a small oval shaped fruit that hangs in clusters. The Ildi has a sweet flavor and is good for snacking or for use in salads.
Indigo Cherry Drops Tomato
The Indigo Cherry Drops tomato is a small blue-black cherry type. It has a sweet flavor and is good for snacking or for use in salads.
Indigo Rose Tomato: A small, blue or purple tomato with a round shape. Indigo roses have a sweet flavor with hints of citrus.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “J”
Jelly Bean Tomato: 1½-inch round fruits of a deep rose color blushed with yellow, with a sweet/tart flavor. 65 days. 12-18 inches. determinate.
Jersey Devil Tomato: (AKA “Devil’s Kiss”). 1 ounce, round, bright red fruit has a fruity, complex flavor. 75 days. 18-24 inches. indeterminate.
Jet Star Tomato: 6 to 8 ounces, bright red and shiny, deep globe shaped fruit with few seeds and very good flavor for a salad or fresh eating tomato. 66 days from transplanting. indeterminate.
Jaune Flamme Tomato: 3 ounce golden orange plum tomato is delicious with a hint of cinnamon sweetness when eaten fresh or used in salads – also good for canning and cooking sauce or salsa! 74 days from transplanting . indeterminate.
Juliet Tomato: 1 ounce oblong cherry type tomato with super-sweet flavor that’s excellent for salads and as a garnish on hors d’oeuvres plates! Resists most tomato diseases! 58 days from transplanting.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “K”
Kalysha is a mini-determinate type of tomato. It’s fruits are small, oval, and weigh about 1 ounce each. They have a deep red color with a smooth skin. Kalysha is a very sweet tasting tomato with few seeds.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “L”
Lemon Drop tomatoes are small yellow tomatoes with a lemon shape. They are great for snacking and make a nice addition to salads.
Lycopene is a red pigment found in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. It is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.
Lycopersicon is the genus name for tomatoes. The word “tomato” comes from the Aztec word “tomatl,” which means “plump fruit.”
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “M”
There are a number of different types of tomatoes, each with their own unique flavor and characteristics. Here is a list of some of the most common tomato varieties, that starts with the letter “M”.
Micro Tom: The smallest variety of tomato, Micro Toms are about the size of a grape. They are often used as ornamental plants or for container gardening.
Mortgage lifter: This large red tomato gets its name from its history as a popular heirloom variety that was known for producing bountiful crops that could help farmers pay off their mortgages. Mortgage lifter tomatoes have a sweet and juicy flesh that makes them perfect for eating fresh or using in salads or sandwiches
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “N”
Noaksey’s Black Tomato: Introduced in 2019, Noaksey’s is an heirloom with 5 to 6-inch fruits that are classic black rosettes. They have a deep, earthy flavor and make incredibly beautiful garnishes or can be enjoyed on their own as a unique salad tomato.
Nuzzleberry Tomato: Unknown parentage, Nuzzleberry was acquired by Russian seed company Tukai in 2016. The 1-inch fruits have an intense, fruity flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for eating fresh or adding to salads.
Nutri-Red Tomato: A cross between Red De Colo and Nutri-Brown, Nutri-Red was developed by Dr. Carolyn Dimkoff of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station for its high lycopene content and antioxidant properties. Fruits are large (10 to 16 ounces), round and bright red with a juicy texture and good flavor.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “O”
Orange Tomato
The orange tomato is a bright orange fruit that is classified as a cultivar of the red tomato. This fruit is often used in salads and as a garnish.
The orange tomato is one of the many colors of tomatoes that are available to growers and home gardeners. Tomatoes can be red, yellow, green, or even purple or white. The orange tomato is not as common as some of the other colors, but it can be found in some markets and farms.
This fruit is often used in salads and as a garnish. The orange color of the tomato can add a splash of brightness to any dish.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “P”
**Paste tomatoes are longer and more oblong than other types of tomatoes. They have a lower water content, making them ideal for tomato paste, sauce, and puree. When cooked, paste tomatoes have a concentrated flavor.
**Plum tomatoes are medium-sized (three to four inches long), oval-shaped tomatoes with a pointed end. They come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and green. Plum tomatoes have a firm flesh with fewer seeds than other types of tomatoes, making them ideal for use in sauces.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “Q”
To be updated Soon
Tomato Varieties Starting With Letter “R”
Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter: Radiator Charlie was a mechanic in Ohio who bred this large, pink tomato in the 1930s. He sold plants for $1 each and used the proceeds to pay off his mortgage in just six years. The Mortgage Lifter tomato is an heirloom variety that is still popular today. (Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter).
Roma tomatoes: They are medium-sized (three to four inches long), oval-shaped tomatoes with a pointed end. They come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and green.
It is a popular variety for canning as Roma tomatoes have a firm flesh with fewer seeds than other types of tomatoes, making them ideal for use in sauces and puree.
Russian Blue: The Russian Blue tomato is a variety of heirloom tomato that gets its name from its bluish-purple color. This type of tomato is relatively rare, but it is prized for its sweet flavor and unique appearance. (Russian Blue Tomato).
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “S”
Sarda – An ingredient in the famous tomato and mozzarella salad from Sardinia, this variety reaches about four ounces. It’s an important culinary tomato in Italy.
San Marzano – A type of plum tomato, this is the classic canning and sauce tomato. It’s pear-shaped with thick flesh and few seeds. San Marzanos are used extensively in Italian cuisine, especially in dishes from Campania such as pizza and pasta sauces.
Sapore di Fuoco – This variety was created in 2004 by Beau Solan of New Zealand. It’s a cross between ‘Red Pear’ and ‘Supersteak’ and produces three-ounce fruits that are excellent for fresh eating or slicing.
Schweizer Riesentraube – An heirloom variety from Switzerland, this one dates back to 1885. The name means “Swiss giant bunch grape,” although the fruits are actually small plum tomatoes that grow in large clusters. They have few seeds and are excellent for canning or fresh eating out of hand.
Senateur Coffee Tomatoes – These French heirlooms get their name from their coffee-colored skin. They are delicious sliced fresh or used as a garnish. The plant is sprawling but very productive, bearing two-inch fruits all season long
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “T”
Tomatoes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. While most people are familiar with the red beefsteaks and cherry tomatoes, there are actually dozens of different types of tomatoes to choose from.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “U”
Ugly Ripe Tomato – Ugly Ripe is an heirloom tomato that was developed in New Jersey. The fruit is large, round, and red with dark green shoulders. It has a sweet flavor with a hint of acidity.
Ultra sweet 100 – Ultra Sweet 100 is a hybrid tomato that was developed in Israel. The fruit is elongated and red with a sweet flavor.
Underground Tomatoes – Underground tomatoes are small, round, and red with a sweet flavor. They are typically found in Asian markets.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “V”
Valencia: These bright-red, smooth-skinned tomatoes are often used for canning and tomato paste. They’re also good for salads and other fresh uses.
Vander’s Yellow: This is a beautiful, clear yellow tomato with a firm texture. It’s great for fresh eating and salads as well as cooking.
Van Nuys: These beefsteak-type tomatoes are large and round with smooth, deep-red flesh. They have a rich flavor and are great for slicing and using in salads or on sandwiches.
Ventana: Ventana tomatoes are a variety of heirloom tomato that is oblong in shape with orangey-yellow skin. The flesh is orange with green streaks running through it and has a sweet, slightly acidic flavor. Ventana tomatoes are good for eating fresh or using in cooked dishes.
Verdesse: Verdesse tomatoes are small, round, green tomatoes with a tart flavor. They’re good for pickling or making into relish.
Vertus: Vertus tomatoes are small, round, green tomatoes with a tart flavor. They’re good for pickling or making into relish.
Violette de Bordeaux: Violette de Bordeaux plants produce oval-shaped purple fruits that can weigh up to 1 pound each. The fruits have pinkish-red flesh with a sweet and acidic flavor. Violette de Bordeaux tomatoes are good for fresh eating or cooking.
Virginia Sweetheart: Virginia Sweetheart plants produce small, heart-shaped fruits that weigh up to 1/2 pound each. The fruits have red flesh with a sweet flavor and few seeds. Virginia Sweetheart tomatoes are good for eating fresh or cooking
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “W”
Wandering Willie: This type of tomato is a small, oblate-shaped fruit that weighs around 1.5 ounces. It is bright red and has a smooth exterior. The flesh of the Wandering Willie tomato is firm and has very few seeds.
Widget: Widget tomatoes are tiny, round fruits that only weigh about 0.5 ounces each. They are bright red and have a smooth exterior. The flesh of the Widget tomato is firm and has very few seeds.
Windowbox Roma: Windowbox Roma tomatoes are oval-shaped fruits that weigh around 3 ounces each. They are bright red and have a smooth exterior. The flesh of the Windowbox Roma tomato is firm and has very few seeds.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “X”
To be updated soon.
Varieties of Tomatoes Starting With Letter “Y”
Yoder’s Yellow: Yoder’s Yellow are an older type of tomato that was developed in the early 1900s by Mennonite farmers near Shipshewana, Indiana.
The fruits are small, about one to two ounces each, and have a brilliant deep yellow color. The flavor is a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Yellow Pear: Yellow Pear tomatoes are small, pear-shaped fruits that weigh around 1 ounce each. They are yellow in color and have a smooth exterior. The flesh of the Yellow Pear tomato is firm and has very few seeds. Excellent for sauces and soups.
Tomato Names Starting With Letter “Z”
Zebra Tomato: Zebra tomatoes are small, oblate-shaped fruits that weigh around 1 ounce each. They are green in color with red stripes and have a smooth exterior. The flesh of the Zebra tomato is firm and has very few seeds. They are quite juicy with a pleasantly tart flavor. Zebra tomatoes are good for eating fresh, as well as in salads and other dishes.
Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to read our comprehensive guide to the different types of tomatoes! With so many varieties available, it can be hard to choose which one is right for you.
We hope this guide has helped you narrow down your options and find the perfect tomato for your needs.