Heirloom

Black Krim

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Krim'

An exotic Russian heirloom that produces stunning dark purple-black tomatoes with green shoulders and deep red flesh. Originally from the Black Sea region, these medium-large beefsteaks offer a complex, rich flavor with smoky undertones that tomato connoisseurs absolutely rave about. Their unique appearance and gourmet taste make them conversation starters at any garden gathering.

Harvest

80-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Blossom-End Rot of Tomato

☀️

Zones

10–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-10 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Black Krim in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Black Krim · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing24-36 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with good organic content

pH6.2-6.8

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonYear Round

FlavorRich, complex, and smoky with sweet undertones and mild saltiness

ColorDark purple-black with green shoulders

Size8-12 ounces

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 fresh Black Krim tomatoes stem-side down at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Never refrigerate unless fully ripe and you need to extend life by 2-3 days – cold temperatures destroy the complex flavor compounds that make this variety special. Properly stored Black Krims maintain peak flavor for 5-7 days, longer than many thin-skinned heirlooms.

For preservation, Black Krim's low acidity makes it unsuitable for traditional water bath canning unless you add lemon juice or citric acid. However, the rich flavor excels in frozen applications. Core and quarter ripe tomatoes, then freeze in portions for winter sauces and soups. The texture won't work for fresh use after freezing, but the smoky flavor intensifies beautifully in cooked dishes.

Dehydrating works exceptionally well with Black Krims. Slice ¼ inch thick, lightly salt, and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours. The concentrated flavor rivals expensive sun-dried tomatoes and stores for months in airtight containers.

History & Origin

Black Krim originates from the Isle of Krim (now Crimea) in the Black Sea, where it was grown by local gardeners for generations before reaching Western gardens in the 1990s. The variety's name literally translates to 'Black Crimea,' referencing both its distinctive dark coloration and geographic origin.

This heirloom was likely developed through generations of seed saving by Crimean farmers who selected for the darkest, most flavorful fruits. The region's maritime climate and rich soils contributed to the variety's characteristic complex flavor profile and stunning appearance.

Lars Rosenberg, a Swedish gardener, is credited with introducing Black Krim to Western Europe in the early 1990s, though the exact pathway remains somewhat mysterious. American seed companies began offering it in the mid-1990s, where it quickly gained popularity among heirloom enthusiasts and gourmet gardeners.

The variety represents the rich tradition of Soviet-era home gardening, where families maintained private plots and carefully saved seeds from their best performers. This careful selection over decades created the exceptional flavor complexity that makes Black Krim a standout among dark tomato varieties today.

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 and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor

Marigold

Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds

Oregano

Repels spider mites and provides ground cover

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Carrots

Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Chives

Repels aphids and may improve disease resistance

Lettuce

Provides living mulch and utilizes different soil layers

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunting

Fennel

Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth

Corn

Both attract corn earworm which also damages tomatoes

Nutrition Facts

Calories

27kcal(1%)

Protein

0.83g(2%)

Fiber

2.1g(8%)

Carbs

5.51g(2%)

Fat

0.63g(1%)

Vitamin C

27.2mg(30%)

Vitamin K

4.2mcg(4%)

Iron

0.33mg(2%)

Calcium

11mg(1%)

Potassium

260mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Typical heirloom susceptibility, prone to cracking in wet conditions

Common Pests

Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, spider mites

Diseases

Late blight, early blight, blossom end rot, fruit cracking

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Black Krim tomato take to grow from seed?▼

Black Krim tomatoes take 80-90 days from transplant to harvest, plus 6-8 weeks for indoor seed starting. From seed to harvest, expect approximately 110-120 days total. Start seeds indoors in late winter, transplant after soil warms to 65°F, and harvest begins in mid to late summer depending on your growing zone.

Is Black Krim good for beginners?▼

Black Krim rates as moderate difficulty, making it challenging for complete beginners but manageable for gardeners with basic tomato experience. The main challenges are preventing fruit cracking through consistent watering and managing typical heirloom disease susceptibility. Start with easier varieties like Roma or Early Girl if you're new to gardening.

Can you grow Black Krim tomatoes in containers?▼

Yes, Black Krim grows well in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with strong support structures. The indeterminate vines reach 6-8 feet tall and produce heavy fruit, requiring sturdy cages or stakes. Container growing actually helps control watering consistency, reducing the cracking issues that plague this variety in ground cultivation.

What does Black Krim tomato taste like?▼

Black Krim offers a complex, rich flavor profile with distinctive smoky undertones and subtle saltiness that's unique among tomatoes. The taste is described as deep and wine-like, with sweet undertones balancing the smokiness. Low acidity makes it less tangy than typical red tomatoes, creating an almost umami-rich experience that's prized by gourmet cooks.

When should I plant Black Krim tomato seeds?▼

Start Black Krim seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most regions, this means late February to early March. Transplant outdoors only after soil temperature reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F consistently – typically 2-3 weeks after last frost. Cold soil severely stunts this variety's growth.

Black Krim vs Cherokee Purple - what's the difference?▼

While both are dark heirloom tomatoes, Black Krim has deeper purple-black coloration with green shoulders, while Cherokee Purple shows more brownish-purple with pink undertones. Black Krim offers smokier, more complex flavor with saltiness, whereas Cherokee Purple is sweeter and more traditionally tomato-like. Black Krim typically produces slightly smaller fruits but with better heat tolerance.