Arkansas Traveler
Solanum lycopersicum 'Arkansas Traveler'
This tough Southern heirloom was specifically bred to handle hot, humid summers and still produce delicious tomatoes when other varieties give up. Developed at the University of Arkansas, it's famous for setting fruit even in extreme heat and humidity while maintaining excellent flavor and disease resistance. Perfect for gardeners in challenging climates who want reliable, flavorful tomatoes all season long.
Harvest
80-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Arkansas Traveler in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Arkansas Traveler · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – May | July – August | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | — | September – September |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| 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
This heat-loving heirloom thrives when planted after soil temperatures consistently reach 70°F, often later than standard varieties in cool-spring regions. Arkansas Traveler sets fruit reliably even when nighttime temperatures exceed 75°F, making it ideal for late-summer plantings in hot climates where spring-planted tomatoes often abort their first flowers. Space plants generously to maximize airflow, which helps prevent early blight and septoria leaf spot—diseases that can stress less-hardy varieties. While disease-resistant, this cultivar still benefits from consistent watering during fruit set; irregular moisture causes more cracking than in drought-tolerant varieties. Prune suckers aggressively on indeterminate types to direct energy into fruit production rather than excessive vine growth. One critical tip: in extreme heat above 95°F, provide afternoon shade cloth or strategic companion planting with taller crops to prevent fruit scalding and sunscald, which can otherwise mar an otherwise blemish-free harvest.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. 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
Arkansas Traveler tomatoes reach peak harvest readiness when they display a deep red color throughout with slight softening to gentle pressure, typically weighing 6–8 ounces at full maturity. Unlike determinate varieties that ripen in concentrated waves, this indeterminate heirloom produces continuously throughout the season, rewarding regular harvesting every 2–3 days during peak season. For optimal flavor, pick fruits when fully colored but still slightly firm rather than waiting for complete softness, which can occur rapidly in the heat these plants thrive in. Harvesting at this stage allows the vine to redirect energy toward developing additional flowers and fruit rather than overripening existing ones.
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
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 Arkansas Traveler tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight until fully ripe; refrigerate only after ripening to extend shelf life to 5–7 days, though chilling dulls their balanced flavor. Keep them in a single layer to prevent bruising, and maintain 50–70% humidity if storing longer-term at 55–70°F.
This variety's classic, well-balanced profile makes it excellent for all preservation methods. Freeze whole or processed for winter sauces; water-bath can them as juice, sauce, or salsa given their good acid content; or dry slices in a dehydrator or low oven for concentrated umami. Many gardeners blanch and freeze halves for soups without losing quality. For sauce-making specifically, their natural sweetness means you'll need less added sugar than with acidic varieties.
History & Origin
Developed by the University of Arkansas breeding program in the mid-20th century, 'Arkansas Traveler' emerged from deliberate selection for heat and humidity tolerance—critical traits for Southern gardeners facing brutal summer conditions. While detailed records of its specific parentage and the exact year of release remain sparse in readily available documentation, the variety represents a purposeful breeding effort rather than a chance discovery, developed through the university's commitment to creating regionally adapted cultivars. The tomato gained recognition among Southern heirloom circles for its reliable performance in challenging climates, becoming a staple among gardeners seeking flavorful tomatoes when commercial hybrids struggled. Its legacy reflects institutional investment in solving real agricultural problems faced by home and market gardeners across the Arkansas region and beyond.
Origin: Peru
Advantages
- +Thrives in hot, humid Southern climates where most tomatoes fail
- +Produces delicious, well-balanced sweet-tart flavor consistently through summer
- +University of Arkansas breeding ensures reliable fruit set in extreme heat
- +Generally disease resistant with impressive overall plant vigor and reliability
- +Matures in reasonable 80-90 days with manageable growth habit
Considerations
- -Still susceptible to late blight during very humid, wet conditions
- -Requires consistent care to manage common pests like hornworms and mites
- -May need staking or support despite manageable growth tendencies
Companion Plants
Basil planted 12–18 inches from the base is worth the space. Its volatile oils — linalool and eugenol, primarily — appear to interfere with aphid host-finding, and French marigolds (Tagetes patula) add another layer by releasing alpha-terthienyl from their roots, which suppresses root-knot nematodes in the surrounding soil. That matters for an heirloom like Arkansas Traveler: NC State Extension points out that heirloom varieties may lack resistance to soilborne threats, so anything that keeps nematode pressure down around the roots earns its spot. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop for aphids — they'll colonize the nasturtium leaves instead of your tomatoes, and you can pull and trash those leaves when they get heavy.
Fennel is the one to cut from the plan entirely. It releases allelopathic compounds that stunt nearby plants, and tomatoes are among the most sensitive. Black walnut is a harder stop for a different reason: juglone from the roots and decomposing leaf litter can kill a tomato plant outright, and that affected soil zone can extend 50–60 feet from the trunk — farther than most people expect.
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor and growth
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Carrots
Help break up soil for tomato roots and don't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repel aphids and may improve tomato flavor and disease resistance
Lettuce
Provides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and utilizes different root zones
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may improve tomato flavor
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted nearby
Corn
Both attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients and space
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent heat tolerance, good resistance to many common diseases, crack resistant
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Generally disease resistant, some susceptibility to late blight in very humid conditions
Troubleshooting Arkansas Traveler
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Plant wilts suddenly during hot weather, no visible fungal growth on stems or soil line
Likely Causes
- Southern bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) — soilborne bacterium that persists in infested ground indefinitely once established
- Root-knot nematodes — damage roots so the plant can't move water even when soil moisture is adequate
What to Do
- 1.Dig up and destroy the affected plant, including as much of the root system as you can get — don't compost it
- 2.Don't replant tomatoes or other Solanaceae in that spot; NC State Extension notes the rotation window for some tomato diseases can be five to seven years
- 3.If your beds stay infested, switch to growing in containers filled with bagged potting mix — keep that mix from touching native soil
Large patches of foliage turning gray-green and collapsing fast, with dark water-soaked spots appearing on fruit
Likely Causes
- Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) — arrives on wind-blown spores or infected transplants, accelerates fast in wet, humid stretches
- Arkansas Traveler has decent heat tolerance but no documented late blight resistance — extended cool, wet nights are its weak point
What to Do
- 1.Remove and bag affected foliage immediately — late blight moves fast and spores spread by wind, so don't leave debris on the ground
- 2.Apply a copper-based fungicide (copper octanoate or copper hydroxide) on a 7-day schedule once conditions turn wet and cool — preventive timing matters more than reactive timing
- 3.NC State's Plant Disease and Insect Clinic tracks late blight arrival each season; check their alerts because timing varies considerably year to year
Leaves curling, stippled with tiny yellow-bronze flecks; fine webbing visible on undersides in dry spells
Likely Causes
- Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — thrive when temperatures climb above 85°F and humidity drops
- Broad mite infestations can look similar but tend to distort new growth rather than stipple older leaves
What to Do
- 1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water from a hose — knocks mite populations back fast and costs nothing
- 2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning so it dries before full sun hits; repeat every 5–7 days for at least 3 applications
- 3.Keep soil moisture consistent — Arkansas Traveler needs steady water through its 80–90 day run, and drought-stressed plants draw mite pressure faster than well-watered ones
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Arkansas Traveler tomato take to grow?▼
Can you grow Arkansas Traveler tomatoes in containers?▼
Is Arkansas Traveler good for beginners?▼
What does Arkansas Traveler tomato taste like?▼
When should I plant Arkansas Traveler tomatoes?▼
Arkansas Traveler vs Celebrity tomato what's the difference?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.