Valencia
Solanum lycopersicum
Round, smooth fruits average 8-10 oz. Their meaty interiors have few seeds. This midseason tomato is among the best for flavor and texture. Our own selection of a Maine family heirloom with a Spanish accent. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
76d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Valencia in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Valencia · Zones 10–11
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 Valencia tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight for 3-5 days for peak flavor – refrigeration dulls their complex sweet taste. For longer storage, keep barely-ripe fruits in a cool, dark place where they'll continue developing their orange color over 1-2 weeks.
Valencia's meaty texture and balanced acidity make them excellent for preserving. Freeze whole tomatoes for later sauce-making by simply washing, removing stems, and placing in freezer bags – the skins slip off easily after thawing. For canning, their low water content creates rich, concentrated sauces and salsas that won't require extensive cooking to reduce. Dehydrate thick slices at 135°F for intensely flavored tomato leather or reconstitutable pieces. Their natural sweetness also makes them ideal for fermenting into complex condiments.
History & Origin
The Valencia tomato originates from the fertile Valencia region of eastern Spain, where it developed as a cherished local variety among Mediterranean gardeners who prized its exceptional sweetness and stunning orange color. This heirloom reflects centuries of careful seed saving by Spanish farmers who selected for the variety's unique combination of size, flavor, and visual appeal.
While exact breeding records don't exist for this old variety, Valencia represents the Mediterranean tradition of developing tomatoes specifically for fresh consumption rather than processing. The variety likely arrived in North America through Spanish immigrants or seed exchanges, though it remained relatively obscure compared to more widely distributed heirlooms.
Valencia's development parallels other regional Spanish varieties that emphasized flavor complexity over shipping durability – a philosophy that nearly disappeared during the industrial agriculture era but has experienced renewed appreciation among heirloom enthusiasts. Today's Valencia maintains the same characteristics that made it valuable to Spanish gardeners: exceptional eating quality, beautiful presentation, and reliable production in warm climates.
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 control aphids
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels pests and may enhance tomato growth through root interactions
Lettuce
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for nutrients
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete with tomatoes for 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 disease susceptibility, benefits from good air circulation
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot, cracking