Chocolate Cherry Tomato Seeds

Chocolate Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an award-winning heirloom cherry tomato celebrated for its rich, complex flavor and stunning mahogany-red fruits. These bite-sized tomatoes are incredibly sweet with smoky, earthy undertones that make them one of the most flavorful cherry tomatoes available. Vigorous indeterminate vines produce long trusses of fruit from early summer until frost, providing an abundant harvest for months.

Perfect for fresh snacking, salads, charcuterie boards, roasting, and pasta dishes, Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes are a favorite among home gardeners and chefs alike. Their exceptional flavor, beautiful color, and reliable production make them a must-grow variety for every warm-season garden.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your desired transplant date.
• Transplant outdoors once nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 55°F.
• In Southern California, tomatoes can be planted from late winter through midsummer in many areas for extended harvests.
• Succession plant every 6–8 weeks to enjoy fresh tomatoes over a longer season.

Zones 2-8

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost.
• Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
• Choose a location with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Planting Tomato Seeds

• Sow seeds 1/4″ deep in a high-quality seed-starting mix.
• Maintain soil temperatures between 70–85°F for fast, even germination.
• Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
• Fertilize seedlings with an organic liquid fertilizer after the first set of true leaves develops.
• Transplant seedlings deeply, burying part of the stem to encourage a strong root system.
• Space plants 24–36″ apart with sturdy cages, stakes, or trellises.

Growing Tomatoes

• Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes thrive in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant to reduce the risk of disease.
• Feed regularly with an organic tomato fertilizer throughout the growing season.
• Remove lower leaves as plants grow to improve airflow.
• Support vigorous vines with cages or trellises to maximize production and keep fruit clean.

Succession Planting Tomatoes

• In Southern California, plant a second or even third round of tomatoes for harvests that extend well into fall.
• Starting new plants every few months helps ensure continuous production throughout the warm season.

Growing Tomatoes in Containers

• Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes perform beautifully in large containers.
• Choose containers that hold at least 10–15 gallons of soil and provide excellent drainage.
• Use a premium potting mix and fertilize regularly throughout the season.
• Container-grown tomatoes require more frequent watering during warm weather.

Harvesting Tomatoes

• Harvest fruits when they develop a rich chocolate-red color and feel slightly soft to the touch.
• Pick tomatoes frequently to encourage continued flowering and fruit production.
• Cherry tomatoes are sweetest when allowed to fully ripen on the vine.
• Enjoy fresh immediately or refrigerate only if necessary after harvest.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes thrive during Southern California’s long growing season.
• Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperatures.
• Provide afternoon shade during periods of extreme heat to reduce blossom drop.
• Harvest regularly to keep plants producing heavily throughout the season.
• Plant flowers nearby to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Plant alongside basil, marigolds, nasturtiums, borage, alyssum, calendula, and cosmos to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Tomatoes grow well with peppers, onions, garlic, carrots, lettuce, and herbs.
• Avoid planting near fennel, which may inhibit tomato growth.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to tomatoes at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.

Looking for other exciting and unique tomato varieties? Check out our Chocolate Stripes, Wapsipinicon Peach, Rainbow Cherry Mix, Green Zebra, and more! Shop all tomatoes here. And for helpful information on the how and why of creating a structure for growing your tomatoes, check out our article on DIY Tomato Trellis Systems.