Paul Robeson
Solanum lycopersicum 'Paul Robeson'
A stunning Russian heirloom named after the famous American singer and activist, prized for its extraordinary dark burgundy-black color and exceptional flavor. This large beefsteak variety delivers complex, wine-like taste with perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. A true gourmet tomato that stands out in any garden with its dramatic appearance.
Harvest
90-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Paul Robeson in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Paul Robeson · 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 | — | September – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | June – August |
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 Paul Robeson tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight for optimal flavor development. They maintain peak quality for 5-7 days on the counter and should never be refrigerated unless fully ripe, as cold temperatures destroy their complex flavor compounds.
For preservation, Paul Robeson's low acid content and delicate flesh make it unsuitable for traditional water bath canning. Instead, freeze whole fruits for later use in cooked dishes—the skin slips off easily after thawing. Dehydrating works exceptionally well, concentrating the smoky, wine-like flavors into intensely flavored dried tomatoes.
Slow-roasting Paul Robeson with herbs and olive oil creates a gourmet preserve that maintains the variety's distinctive taste. The high sugar content also makes these tomatoes excellent for small-batch tomato jam or chutney, though you'll need to add lemon juice or vinegar to ensure proper acidity levels for safe preservation.
History & Origin
Paul Robeson tomatoes originated in Russia and were named after the legendary American bass-baritone singer, actor, and civil rights activist Paul Robeson (1898-1976). This heirloom variety gained popularity in the United States during the 1990s through seed exchanges and heirloom enthusiasts who recognized its exceptional qualities.
The variety's development reflects the rich tradition of Russian and Eastern European tomato breeding, where gardeners selected for complex flavors and adaptability to shorter growing seasons. Russian gardeners have long prized dark-colored tomatoes for their intense flavors, and Paul Robeson represents one of the finest examples of this breeding philosophy.
The tomato's namesake spent considerable time in Russia during his career, where he developed deep appreciation for Russian culture and agriculture. Naming this distinctive variety after Paul Robeson honors both his artistic legacy and his connection to Russian society. Today, Paul Robeson tomatoes are treasured by heirloom enthusiasts worldwide for maintaining authentic genetics and delivering the extraordinary flavors that made Russian varieties famous among serious gardeners.
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
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Oregano
Repels many insects and may provide some disease resistance benefits
Lettuce
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for deep nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients
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 to diseases. Requires good air circulation and disease prevention.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites, cutworms
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, cracking in wet conditions