Photo: "Sungold cherry tomatoes" by Dwight Sipler · CC BY 2.0

Tomato · Cherry

Sun Gold Tomatoes

Indeterminate · Solanaceae

Exceptionally sweet tangerine-orange cherry tomato, widely considered the gold standard for cherry flavor. Prolific producer on vigorous indeterminate vines. F1 hybrid introduced by Tokita Seed Company (Japan) in 1992. Fruits in clusters of 10-20. Prone to cracking when fully ripe; pick at first color break.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

57–65 days

Sun

8+ hours

Spacing

24–36 "

Seed Start

6–8 weeks

before transplant

Container

Yes

10+ gallon pot

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Seed Depth 0.25"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 60°F

Harden Off 10 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs Consistent

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Support Very sturdy cage or overhead trellis. Strong stakes with regular tying.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Low Drought: Low

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Calcium Critical — supplement recommended

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress, Compost tea

Harvest

Fully colored tangerine-orange with slight give. Harvest at first color break to prevent cracking.

Storage 5 days — Counter at room temp. Never refrigerate. Eat quickly.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Genovese basil Repels aphids, may improve flavor

French marigold Repels nematodes

Borage Attracts pollinators, deters hornworms

Avoid Planting Near

Herb fennel Allelopathic

Sources

seed_catalog Johnny's Selected Seeds seed_catalog Botanical Interests seed_catalog Renee's Garden seed_catalog West Coast Seeds

More Tomatos

Sun Gold Tomatoes Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Sun Gold Tomatoes vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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