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Roma

Solanum lycopersicum 'Roma'

Roma is a classic heirloom paste tomato prized for its dense, meaty flesh and concentrated flavor. The plant produces elongated, plum-shaped fruits that mature in 60-65 days with minimal seeds and low acidity. Known for its mild, sweet taste, Roma excels in fresh sauces, pastes, and cooking applications where robust texture matters. This reliable, easy-to-grow variety tolerates less fertile soil and requires minimal maintenance. Its naturally rich flavor develops without excessive acidity, making it ideal for traditional Italian tomato preparations.

Harvest

60-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Roma in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 tomato →

Zone Map

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Roma · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates less fertile conditions

pH6.0-6.8

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonPerennial

FlavorConcentrated, less acidic, mild and sweet

ColorDeep red

Size2-3 oz

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
Zone 1	May – May	July – August	—	September – August
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	—	September – September
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	—	April – June
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	—	April – June
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	—	April – June

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.

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

+Attracts: Bees, Pollinators
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Leaves): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Basil planted 18 inches away shares Roma's water schedule and pulls double duty in the kitchen — whatever aphid-confusion benefit it provides is a bonus, not the point. French marigolds like 'Petite Gold' release thiophene compounds from their roots that suppress soil nematodes, which matters in beds that have grown tomatoes before. Garlic and chives both emit volatile sulfur compounds that deter aphids, and chives top out around 12 inches so they won't shade the lower fruit. Fennel is the one to pull before it gets near this bed — its root exudates are allelopathic to tomatoes, and it'll stunt growth even at a few feet away. Corn is also a bad neighbor: it competes hard for nitrogen and shares caterpillar pressure from Helicoverpa zea, which hits both crops in the same season.

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

Calories

27kcal(1%)

Protein

0.83g(2%)

Fiber

2.1g(8%)

Carbs

5.51g(2%)

Fat

0.63g(1%)

Vitamin C

27.2mg(30%)

Vitamin K

4.2mcg(4%)

Iron

0.33mg(2%)

Calcium

11mg(1%)

Potassium

260mg(6%)

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

Troubleshooting Roma

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Lower leaves developing dark brown bullseye-ringed spots, working up the plant from the soil line — usually visible by day 45–50 after transplant

Likely Causes

Early blight (Alternaria solani) — a soil-borne fungus that splashes onto foliage during rain or overhead watering
Crowded spacing under 18 inches that traps humidity around the lower canopy

What to Do

1.Strip all spotted leaves and bin them — don't compost them
2.Lay 3–4 inches of straw mulch around the base to stop spore splash
3.Per NC State Extension's IPM guidance, rotate this bed out of all nightshades for at least 3–4 years; for persistent early blight, 5–7 years is the safer target

Large sections of foliage turning gray-green and collapsing fast — sometimes overnight — with dark, water-soaked lesions on fruit

Likely Causes

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) — an oomycete that spreads explosively in cool, wet conditions (nights below 65°F, high humidity)
Infected transplants or nearby potato plantings introducing the pathogen

What to Do

1.Remove and bag affected plants immediately — Phytophthora infestans can spread to neighboring beds within 24–48 hours
2.Trash everything, roots included; NC State Extension's disease diagnostic notes flag late blight as a pathogen they actively monitor statewide because of how fast it moves
3.Next season, keep tomatoes and potatoes at least 30 feet apart, and scout weekly once nighttime temps drop below 65°F

Plant wilts during the day even with adequate soil moisture, doesn't recover overnight, and shows yellow-brown streaking inside the stem when you cut it at the base

Likely Causes

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) — a soil-borne fungus that colonizes the vascular tissue and blocks water uptake
Reusing the same bed for tomatoes in back-to-back seasons, which lets Fusarium inoculum build up

What to Do

1.Dig up and destroy the whole plant including roots — NC State Extension recommends removing infested soil from contact with the rest of your garden
2.Growing Roma in containers with fresh potting mix is a legitimate workaround where the garden soil is confirmed infested
3.Rotate out of all Solanaceae crops for 3–4 years minimum; Fusarium oxysporum persists in soil for years without a host

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Roma tomatoes take to grow from seed?▼

Roma tomatoes take 75-80 days from transplant to harvest, or about 100-110 days from seed to harvest. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for best results. The determinate plants will produce most of their crop over a concentrated 2-3 week period once they begin ripening.

Can you grow Roma tomatoes in containers?▼

Yes, Roma tomatoes grow well in containers due to their determinate, compact growth habit. Use a container at least 20 gallons (or 24 inches wide and deep) with drainage holes. Their smaller size compared to indeterminate varieties makes them ideal for patio growing, and you'll still get substantial harvests for sauce making.

Are Roma tomatoes good for beginners?▼

Roma tomatoes are excellent for beginning gardeners. They're more tolerant of poor soil and inconsistent care than many varieties, require minimal pruning, and their determinate growth habit is less overwhelming than managing sprawling indeterminate plants. Plus, the concentrated harvest teaches beginners about preserving techniques.

What's the difference between Roma and San Marzano tomatoes?▼

Roma tomatoes are more compact and easier to grow, while San Marzano tomatoes are longer, more flavorful, and require more specific growing conditions. Roma produces heavier yields and tolerates various climates better, making it more reliable for home gardeners. San Marzano has superior flavor but lower productivity and higher maintenance requirements.

When should I plant Roma tomatoes?▼

Plant Roma tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant seedlings outdoors when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. In warm climates (zones 9-10), you can direct sow seeds when soil reaches 65°F, typically 2-4 weeks after the last frost.

Do Roma tomatoes taste good fresh?▼

Roma tomatoes have mild, less acidic flavor when eaten fresh, but they're specifically bred for cooking rather than fresh eating. Their dense, meaty texture and concentrated flavor really shine when cooked into sauces, soups, and stews. For fresh eating, choose slicing varieties like Brandywine or Cherokee Purple instead.