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The 18 Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties to Grow in Your Garden This Year (2025)

Heirloom tomatoes are a gardener’s dream, known for their incredible flavor, diverse shapes, and rich history. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, heirloom tomatoes can bring an extra touch of beauty and taste to your garden. With thousands of heirloom tomato varieties out there, it can be hard to decide which ones to plant in your garden. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of 18 of the best heirloom tomato varieties to grow in 2025, along with tips, care instructions, and answers to some common questions.

Heirloom tomatoes are varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation, typically through open-pollination. They are not genetically modified or hybridized, and many of them have unique characteristics, such as vibrant colors, unusual shapes, and exceptional flavors. These tomatoes are often grown by small farmers and home gardeners due to their unique traits and the effort required to grow them.

2. Why Choose Heirloom Tomatoes?

Flavor: Heirloom tomatoes tend to have a fuller, more complex flavor compared to hybrid varieties.
Variety: There’s an heirloom tomato for every taste preference, from tangy to sweet.
History and Tradition: Heirloom varieties come with a rich history, and growing them connects you to generations of gardeners before you.
Biodiversity: Growing heirloom tomatoes helps maintain genetic diversity, which is important for plant resilience.

3. 18 Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties to Grow in 2025

Here are 18 of the best heirloom tomato varieties you should consider planting this year:

1. Brandywine

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Pinkish-red
Taste: Sweet, rich, and full-bodied
Why Grow It: Known as one of the best-tasting heirloom tomatoes, Brandywine produces large, meaty fruit perfect for slicing.

2. Cherokee Purple

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Deep purple with green shoulders
Taste: Smoky, rich, and slightly sweet
Why Grow It: A popular choice for its unique color and bold flavor. It thrives in warm climates and produces large fruits.

3. Green Zebra

Type: Small to medium
Color: Green with yellow stripes
Taste: Tangy and mildly sweet
Why Grow It: The vibrant color and tangy flavor make it a great addition to salads and salsa.

4. Mortgage Lifter

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Red
Taste: Mildly sweet with few seeds
Why Grow It: A historic tomato, once used to help a farmer pay off his mortgage, Mortgage Lifter has large, meaty fruits with a tender texture.

5. Black Krim

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Dark reddish-brown with purple undertones
Taste: Smoky, slightly salty, and complex
Why Grow It: Black Krim tomatoes are known for their exotic color and bold, intense flavor. They are perfect for grilling or adding to sauces.

6. Yellow Pear

Type: Small, cherry
Color: Yellow
Taste: Sweet, mild
Why Grow It: Compact and prolific, Yellow Pear tomatoes are perfect for snacking or adding to salads.

7. Aunt Ruby’s German Green

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Green (even when ripe)
Taste: Sweet, slightly tangy
Why Grow It: Its green color sets it apart, and it has a fantastic balance of sweetness and acidity. Great for slicing.

8. San Marzano

Type: Paste
Color: Red
Taste: Sweet with low acidity
Why Grow It: Famous for making delicious sauces, San Marzano tomatoes are great for canning and preserving.

9. White Wonder

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Creamy white
Taste: Mildly sweet, refreshing
Why Grow It: A rare and unusual tomato that’s perfect for making colorful salads or unique dishes.

10. Pink Girl

Type: Medium-sized
Color: Pink
Taste: Juicy, sweet, and mild
Why Grow It: This variety is known for its strong disease resistance and easy growing habit, making it perfect for beginners.

11. Black Beauty

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Dark purple with black hues
Taste: Rich and smoky
Why Grow It: Known for its smoky, full-bodied flavor, Black Beauty tomatoes are perfect for cooking or fresh consumption.

12. Caspian Pink

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Pink
Taste: Sweet, mild, and juicy
Why Grow It: Large and juicy, these tomatoes are great for sandwiches, burgers, or fresh salads.

13. Tangerine

Type: Cherry
Color: Orange
Taste: Tangy, sweet, and zesty
Why Grow It: Tangerine tomatoes are perfect for adding a burst of color and flavor to your dishes.

14. Indian Stripe

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Red with purple-black stripes
Taste: Tangy and full of depth
Why Grow It: A rare variety, Indian Stripe produces rich-flavored fruits with unique striped coloring.

15. Gold Rush

Type: Small, cherry
Color: Yellow-gold
Taste: Sweet and slightly tangy
Why Grow It: Small but sweet, these tomatoes are perfect for snacking or adding to fresh dishes.

16. Hillbilly

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Yellow with red streaks
Taste: Sweet, fruity, and low-acid
Why Grow It: A colorful and delicious variety, Hillbilly tomatoes are perfect for those who love mild, fruity flavors.

17. Pineapple

Type: Beefsteak
Color: Yellow with red marbling
Taste: Sweet and juicy with tropical flavors
Why Grow It: Pineapple tomatoes have a unique look and are bursting with sweetness, making them perfect for fresh eating.

18. Speckled Roman

Type: Paste
Color: Red with orange and yellow speckles
Taste: Sweet and thick
Why Grow It: Known for making excellent sauces, Speckled Roman tomatoes are prolific and have a wonderful sweet flavor.

4. Tips for Growing Heirloom Tomatoes

Soil: Heirloom tomatoes love well-drained, fertile soil. Amend your soil with compost or well-aged manure before planting to promote healthy growth.
Sunlight: Choose a sunny location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Watering: Consistent watering is essential, but avoid waterlogging. Water at the base of the plant to prevent leaf disease.
Staking and Support: Heirloom tomatoes often grow large and heavy, so use stakes, cages, or trellises to support the plants and prevent them from breaking.
Pruning: Regularly prune your tomato plants to remove suckers and improve airflow. This helps prevent diseases and encourages larger fruit production.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What’s the difference between heirloom and hybrid tomatoes?
A1: Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning they grow true to seed and are passed down through generations. Hybrids are crossbred for specific traits, like disease resistance or higher yields, and their seeds do not always produce the same results as the parent plant.

Q2: Can heirloom tomatoes be grown in containers?
A2: Yes, many heirloom tomato varieties can thrive in containers as long as the container is large enough (at least 5 gallons) and has proper drainage.

Q3: How do I save heirloom tomato seeds?
A3: To save seeds, choose fully ripe tomatoes from healthy plants. Scoop out the seeds, rinse them to remove the pulp, and let them dry on a paper towel. Store in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.

Q4: How do I prevent diseases in heirloom tomatoes?
A4: To prevent disease, practice crop rotation, ensure good air circulation around plants, avoid overhead watering, and regularly inspect plants for early signs of pests or fungal infections.

6. Tags and Resources

Tags:

Heirloom Tomatoes
Best Tomato Varieties
Tomato Growing Tips
Organic Gardening
Heirloom Gardening
Tomato Seeds
2025 Gardening

Resources:

Tomato Growers Guide: For comprehensive growing tips and detailed information on heirloom varieties.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac: To help you find the best planting times and gardening tips for heirloom tomatoes.
Seed Savers Exchange: For heirloom tomato seeds and growing advice.

By planting any of these 18 heirloom tomato varieties in your garden this year, you’re sure to enjoy a season of delicious, flavorful tomatoes. From the smoky Cherokee Purple to the tangy Green Zebra, these heirloom varieties offer something for every gardener and tomato lover. Happy planting!