Roma
Chamaemelum nobile
Low-growing, spreading plant with creeping rhizomes. Has similar uses for teas and medicine as annual chamomile varieties, but produces fewer blossoms.
Harvest
60-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
12-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Roma in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Roma · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer
Edibility: Use dried flowers for tea. Drink no more than one cup of tea per day, as it contains thujone, a substance that can be toxic in high doses. Do not use if pregnant.
Storage & Preservation
Store fresh Roma tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for best flavor, or refrigerate ripe fruits for up to one week. Keep them stem-side down to prevent moisture loss and maintain firmness longer than other varieties.
Roma tomatoes excel at preservation due to their low moisture content and meaty flesh. For canning, use them within 24 hours of harvest for peak quality and safety. Their concentrated flesh means less cooking time to achieve thick sauces and pastes.
Freeze whole Roma tomatoes in bags for year-round sauce making — the skins slip off easily after thawing. For drying, slice lengthwise and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery. Their low water content makes them ideal for oven-drying at 200°F with the door cracked open. Properly dried Roma tomatoes store for 6-12 months in airtight containers.
History & Origin
Origin: Europe, India and Western Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Foot Traffic, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: Attractive Flowers, Fragrance, Wildlife Food Source
- +Wildlife value: This plant attracts bees, other insects and other pollinators. The foliage is aromatic when crushed.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor and growth
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Helps break up soil for tomato roots, doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Borage
Deters hornworms and attracts pollinators, may improve tomato flavor
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent blight and repel various pests
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, creating pest problems
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common tomato diseases. Less susceptible to cracking than slicing varieties.
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt