Hillbilly
Solanum lycopersicum 'Hillbilly'
A stunning bicolor heirloom beefsteak with yellow skin beautifully streaked with red and pink, creating a marbled appearance that's as delicious as it is eye-catching. This West Virginia heirloom produces large, sweet fruits with a perfect balance of fruity flavor and low acidity that makes it irresistible fresh from the vine.
Harvest
85-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hillbilly in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Hillbilly · 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 ripe Hillbilly tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for peak flavor—refrigeration dulls their sweet, complex taste. If you must refrigerate, bring them back to room temperature before eating. For slightly underripe fruits, place them stem-side down in a single layer away from direct sunlight.
For preservation, these meaty beefsteaks excel in fresh applications rather than traditional canning due to their low acidity. Freeze sliced rounds on parchment-lined trays, then transfer to freezer bags for use in cooked dishes—perfect for winter sauces and stews. The beautiful color fades somewhat but the sweet flavor remains.
Dehydrating works well for these large tomatoes; slice ½-inch thick and dry until leathery for incredible concentrated flavor. Their low acidity and high sugar content creates exceptional dried tomatoes for salads and pasta dishes.
History & Origin
The Hillbilly tomato traces its roots to West Virginia, where it was developed as a distinctive heirloom variety prized for its unusual beauty and exceptional flavor. This variety emerged from the Appalachian region's tradition of saving seeds from the most outstanding plants, passed down through generations of mountain gardeners who valued both productivity and taste.
Like many American heirloom tomatoes, Hillbilly likely developed through careful selection by home gardeners rather than formal breeding programs. The variety gained wider recognition in the 1980s and 1990s as the heirloom tomato movement brought attention to these regional treasures that had been quietly maintained in family gardens.
The name 'Hillbilly' reflects its humble mountain origins, though the tomato's gourmet quality and stunning appearance have made it a favorite among upscale restaurants and farmers market customers. Today, it represents the successful preservation of American agricultural heritage—a testament to generations of gardeners who recognized that the most beautiful and delicious varieties often come from the most unexpected places.
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 that damage tomato roots
Carrots
Loosen soil for tomato roots and don't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repel aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and don't compete for resources
Borage
Repels tomato hornworms and may improve tomato flavor
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract similar pests like corn earworm and tomato fruitworm
Nutrition Facts
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, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot