Ace 55
Solanum lycopersicum 'Ace 55'
A reliable determinate variety developed specifically for hot, humid climates where other tomatoes struggle. This workhorse produces abundant medium-sized red fruits that ripen consistently even in challenging weather conditions. Perfect for beginning gardeners who want dependable harvests without fuss.
Harvest
80-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ace 55 in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Ace 55 · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store freshly harvested Ace 55 tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Once fully ripe, refrigerate only if you need to extend storage for another 3-4 days, though cold storage will diminish the flavor somewhat.
For preservation, Ace 55's meaty texture and balanced acidity make it excellent for canning—both whole and as sauce. The medium size is perfect for canning whole in quart jars. For freezing, core and quarter the fruits, then freeze in freezer bags for up to 8 months. Frozen Ace 55 works wonderfully in cooked dishes, soups, and sauces.
Dehydrating is another excellent option due to this variety's good flesh-to-seed ratio. Slice ¼ inch thick and dry in a dehydrator at 135°F for 8-12 hours. The concentrated flavor makes them ideal for adding to winter dishes. The variety's reliable acidity levels also make it suitable for fermented products like tomato paste or lacto-fermented tomato sauce.
History & Origin
Ace 55 was developed in the 1960s as part of the 'Ace' series of tomatoes specifically bred to thrive in the challenging growing conditions of the southeastern United States. The variety was created through selective breeding programs focused on heat tolerance and disease resistance, particularly addressing the needs of commercial growers and home gardeners in hot, humid climates where traditional tomato varieties often failed.
The '55' designation refers to the original selection number from the breeding program, and it quickly became the most successful variety in the Ace series. Unlike many modern hybrids bred primarily for shipping and shelf life, Ace 55 was developed with the dual goals of climate adaptation and home garden performance, making it a bridge between commercial reliability and home gardener satisfaction.
This variety gained particular popularity throughout the Gulf Coast states and became a staple recommendation from agricultural extension offices in the 1970s and 1980s. Its development represented early recognition that different climate zones needed specifically adapted varieties rather than trying to grow varieties bred for temperate northern conditions in hot, humid southern gardens.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with strong scent compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for space or nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases with natural sulfur compounds
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Lettuce
Provides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and utilizes different root zones
Oregano
Repels spider mites, aphids, and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit tomato growth and development
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted too close
Corn
Both attract corn earworms and hornworms, creating concentrated pest problems
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to fusarium wilt and alternaria stem canker. Heat and humidity tolerant.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, cutworms, spider mites
Diseases
Late blight, bacterial spot, blossom end rot