German Red Strawberry
Solanum lycopersicum 'German Red Strawberry'
A unique heirloom variety that produces heart-shaped, ribbed fruits resembling oversized strawberries with an unforgettable sweet, fruity flavor. This conversation-starting tomato has been treasured by seed savers for generations and delivers both visual appeal and exceptional taste that sets it apart from conventional varieties.
Harvest
80-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for German Red Strawberry in USDA Zone 7
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German Red Strawberry · Zones 10–10
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 German Red Strawberry tomatoes at room temperature for 5-7 days to maintain their complex fruity flavor profile, which diminishes significantly under refrigeration. Place stem-end down on counters, avoiding direct sunlight, and use within a week for peak taste quality.
For longer storage, refrigerate ripe fruits for up to 2 weeks, though expect some flavor loss. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before eating to restore some taste characteristics.
Freeze whole fruits by removing cores, blanching for 1 minute, then cooling in ice water before freezing in sealed bags for up to 8 months—excellent for winter sauces. The sweet, low-acid nature makes these tomatoes perfect for fresh salsas and unique strawberry-tomato preserves. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes that maintain their distinctive berry notes.
History & Origin
German Red Strawberry represents one of the most distinctive heirloom tomatoes from European seed-saving traditions, though its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious among tomato historians. This variety likely emerged from Germanic regions during the late 1800s or early 1900s, developed through careful selection by home gardeners who prized its unusual strawberry-like appearance and exceptional sweet flavor.
The variety gained popularity among German immigrant communities in the American Midwest, where seed savers maintained its genetic integrity through careful isolation and selection practices. Unlike many commercial tomatoes bred for shipping and uniformity, German Red Strawberry was selected purely for flavor and novelty, resulting in its unique heart-shaped, deeply ribbed appearance that resembles oversized strawberries.
Seed Savers Exchange helped preserve this variety from near-extinction during the 1980s, collecting seeds from elderly gardeners whose families had maintained the line for generations. Today, it represents the dedication of countless unnamed gardeners who recognized something special in its distinctive appearance and unforgettable taste, passing down seeds through family networks and local gardening communities across multiple generations.
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
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests, attract beneficial insects
Carrots
Help break up soil, don't compete for nutrients, can be harvested before tomatoes need full space
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel whiteflies
Chives
Repel aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Oregano
Repels various pests and may enhance tomato flavor
Lettuce
Provides ground cover, conserves moisture, can be harvested early
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas (Cabbage family)
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm, creating increased pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167762)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Typical heirloom susceptibility to diseases, prone to cracking in wet weather
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies
Diseases
Blossom end rot, cracking, late blight, fusarium wilt