Striped German
Solanum lycopersicum
The flat medium-to-large tomatoes with variable shoulder ribbing are shaded yellow and red. The marbled interior looks beautiful sliced. Complex, fruity flavor and smooth texture. Medium-tall vines bear 12+ oz. fruit. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
78d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Striped German in USDA Zone 7
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Striped German · 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 | — | August – 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 Striped German tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain their complex flavor – refrigeration dulls their taste and creates a mealy texture. For longer storage, harvest slightly underripe fruits and ripen them in a paper bag with a banana at 65-70°F.
For preservation, their large size and meaty texture make them excellent for freezing whole (blanch 2 minutes, peel, and freeze in bags) or as sauce. The high sugar content creates outstanding canned salsa and pasta sauce. Dehydrating thick slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours concentrates their sweet-tart flavor into intense tomato chips. Their balanced acidity (pH 4.2-4.4) makes them safe for water bath canning using tested recipes.
History & Origin
Striped German traces its lineage to German immigrants who brought their treasured tomato seeds to America during the great European migrations of the 19th century. This heirloom variety was likely developed in Germany's fertile river valleys where market gardeners selected for the most visually striking and flavorful fruits over generations.
The variety gained recognition among American seed savers and heirloom enthusiasts in the late 20th century as gardeners began rescuing old varieties from extinction. Unlike many commercial tomatoes bred for shipping and shelf life, Striped German was selected purely for eating quality and visual appeal – characteristics that made it a prized variety in German home gardens and local markets.
Today, it represents the pinnacle of heirloom tomato breeding, showcasing how traditional selection methods focused on flavor and beauty rather than uniformity. The variety has become a symbol of genetic diversity preservation and the rich gardening heritage brought by immigrant communities to American soil.
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
Marigold
Deters nematodes and aphids 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 help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and may help confuse pest insects
Oregano
Repels various insects and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds that stunt tomato development
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm, increasing pest pressure on tomatoes
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance, susceptible to cracking and typical heirloom vulnerabilities
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, stink bugs
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, cracking in irregular watering