Cherry Roma
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherry Roma'
A delightful miniature version of the classic Roma paste tomato, producing abundant clusters of small, elongated fruits perfect for snacking or cooking. These bite-sized gems pack all the meaty texture and rich flavor of full-sized paste tomatoes into a convenient cherry size. Excellent for continuous harvest throughout the season with remarkable productivity.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cherry Roma in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Cherry Roma · 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 | — | August – 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
Fresh Cherry Roma tomatoes store best at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor. Only refrigerate fully ripe tomatoes you can't use immediately – cold temperatures above 50°F but below room temperature actually enhance their flavor. They'll keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For preservation, Cherry Roma excels at dehydrating due to its low moisture content and meaty texture. Slice in half lengthwise and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery. These also freeze beautifully – simply wash, remove stems, and freeze whole in bags for later use in cooked dishes. The skins will slip off easily after thawing. Their concentrated flavor and paste-tomato genetics make them excellent for small-batch sauces and salsas that can be canned using standard tomato canning methods.
History & Origin
Cherry Roma is a modern hybrid developed to combine the beloved characteristics of the classic Roma paste tomato with the convenience and continuous production of cherry varieties. While the exact breeding program details aren't widely documented, this variety emerged from the growing demand for specialty tomatoes that could serve multiple culinary purposes.
The original Roma tomato, also known as San Marzano 2, was developed in the 1950s as an improved paste tomato for commercial production. Cherry Roma represents the natural evolution of this breeding work, adapting the Roma's signature meaty texture and rich flavor to the increasingly popular cherry tomato format. This hybrid was created to meet the needs of home gardeners who wanted the processing qualities of paste tomatoes but in quantities more suitable for small households.
The variety gained popularity in the 2000s as specialty seed companies recognized the market demand for versatile, high-yielding cherry tomatoes that could transition seamlessly from fresh eating to cooking applications.
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 natural compounds
Carrots
Helps break up soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels various pests and attracts beneficial pollinators
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and utilizes different soil nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Brassicas
Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, cutworms, spider mites
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, bacterial spot, blossom end rot