Princess Tomato: Complete Guide to This Heirloom Variety

The Princess tomato is a large heirloom variety known for its vibrant pinkish-red color, exceptional juiciness, and balanced sweet-tart flavor profile. This beefsteak-type tomato typically weighs 12-16 ounces, features few seeds, and demonstrates strong disease resistance, making it a favorite among home gardeners seeking reliable, high-quality produce for fresh eating and slicing applications.

Discover why the Princess tomato has become a staple in gardens across North America since its introduction in the early 2000s. This comprehensive guide delivers everything you need to successfully grow, identify, and utilize this exceptional heirloom variety—whether you're a beginner gardener or experienced cook looking to elevate your tomato game.

What Makes Princess Tomatoes Stand Out

Unlike hybrid varieties bred primarily for shipping durability, Princess tomatoes prioritize flavor and garden performance. Developed through careful cross-breeding, this open-pollinated variety maintains consistent characteristics year after year. Gardeners consistently report higher yields than many heirlooms while maintaining superior taste compared to commercial hybrids.

Identification Guide: Spotting Authentic Princess Tomatoes

When selecting plants or evaluating your harvest, look for these distinctive characteristics:

• Color: Deep pinkish-red exterior with green shoulders that fade as ripening completes
• Size: Typically 3-4 inches in diameter, weighing 12-16 ounces
• Shape: Slightly flattened globe with prominent ribbing near the stem
• Interior: Few seed cavities with dense, meaty flesh and minimal jelly
• Flavor profile: Perfect balance of sweetness (5-6% Brix) with bright acidity

Variety	Days to Maturity	Disease Resistance	Best Use
Princess	72-78	Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt	Fresh eating, sandwiches
Beefsteak	80-85	Limited	Slicing, burgers
Brandywine	80-100	None	Caprese salads
Early Girl	50-54	Moderate	Early season use

Growing Princess Tomatoes: From Seed to Harvest

Successful cultivation starts with understanding this variety's specific needs. Princess tomatoes perform best when started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Maintain soil temperature between 70-80°F (21-27°C) for optimal germination, which typically occurs within 5-10 days.

Seasonal Timeline for Maximum Yield

This visual timeline shows the Princess tomato's development cycle based on research from Cornell University's agricultural extension:

• Weeks 1-2: Seed starting indoors with 14-16 hours of light daily
• Week 4: Begin hardening off seedlings to outdoor conditions
• Week 6: Transplant to garden after soil reaches 60°F (15°C)
• Weeks 10-12: First flowers appear; maintain consistent moisture
• Weeks 14-16: First harvest of mature fruit
• Throughout season: Remove suckers to direct energy to fruit production

Culinary Applications That Showcase Flavor

The Princess tomato's balanced flavor profile makes it exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. Unlike many large tomatoes that can be watery, its dense flesh holds up well in both raw and cooked applications. Food scientists at the University of California, Davis have measured its ideal sugar-acid ratio (5.2-5.8 Brix) for fresh consumption.

For best culinary results:

• Slicing: Allow tomatoes to reach room temperature before slicing to maximize flavor release
• Cooking: Use in sauces where you want tomato flavor to shine without excessive cooking time
• Preserving: Excellent for canning due to firm texture that maintains shape
• Pairings: Complements basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and fresh mozzarella

Where Princess Tomatoes Thrive (and Where They Struggle)

Based on agricultural data from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Princess tomatoes perform best in zones 5-9 with specific environmental considerations:

• Optimal conditions: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, well-drained soil with pH 6.2-6.8
• Temperature sweet spot: Daytime 75-85°F (24-29°C), nighttime 60-70°F (15-21°C)
• Humidity limitations: High humidity environments increase disease risk despite natural resistance
• Regional considerations: Performs exceptionally well in Midwest and Northeast gardens; requires more careful watering management in Southern climates

Common Challenges and Solutions

Even with its strong disease resistance, Princess tomatoes face certain challenges. The most frequent issue reported by gardeners through the National Gardening Association is blossom end rot, which affects approximately 15% of plants in calcium-deficient soils.

Preventative measures include:

• Maintaining consistent soil moisture (avoiding drought-stress followed by heavy watering)
• Adding calcium-rich amendments like crushed eggshells or gypsum to planting holes
• Applying mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture
• Practicing crop rotation to prevent soil-borne disease buildup

Where to Find Authentic Princess Tomato Seeds

Due to its popularity, Princess tomato seeds are widely available from reputable seed companies. When purchasing, look for:

• Certified organic options from companies like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
• Regional seed suppliers who adapt varieties to local growing conditions
• Seed packets with clear harvest dates (within 1-2 years for best germination)
• Open-pollinated labeling to ensure you can save seeds for future seasons

Preserving the Princess Tomato Legacy

As an heirloom variety, Princess tomatoes represent an important piece of agricultural heritage. Unlike patented hybrids, this open-pollinated variety allows gardeners to save and share seeds freely, preserving genetic diversity. The Seed Savers Exchange reports that community seed sharing has increased Princess tomato availability by 30% over the past decade, helping maintain this valuable variety for future generations.

How big do Princess tomatoes typically grow?

Princess tomatoes typically reach 12-16 ounces (about 1 pound) each, with a diameter of 3-4 inches. They're classified as beefsteak tomatoes but tend to be slightly smaller than some heirloom varieties while maintaining excellent flavor and texture.

Are Princess tomatoes determinate or indeterminate?

Princess tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season until killed by frost. This makes them ideal for extended harvests but requires proper staking or caging for support as plants can reach 6-8 feet tall.

What's the best way to store harvested Princess tomatoes?

Store unripe Princess tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Once fully ripe, they're best used immediately, but can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days. Never refrigerate tomatoes as cold temperatures destroy flavor compounds and alter texture.

How does Princess tomato compare to Mortgage Lifter?

While both are large heirloom varieties, Princess tomatoes mature earlier (72-78 days vs 80+), have better disease resistance, and feature a more consistent shape. Mortgage Lifter tends to be larger (1-2 pounds) with more irregular shape but similar sweet-tart flavor profile. Princess is generally easier for beginner gardeners to grow successfully.