TOMATO Seeds, Roma

Roma (Solanum lycopersicum), also called the plum or paste tomato, is a heirloom variety with firm, meaty, low-moisture fruit and few seeds. A determinate workhorse bred for sauces, pastes, and canning.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum 'Roma'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated paste tomato
• Growth habit: determinate
• Days to maturity: about 75 to 80 days from transplant
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 24 to 36 inches apart
• Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seed

Best for

• Sauces, pastes, and ketchup
• Canning and preserving
• Salsas and chutneys
• Drying
• Cooking down into thick dishes

How to grow

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant after the soil warms, planting deep. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Roma prefers slightly drier conditions than other tomatoes, so water consistently but avoid overwatering. As a determinate type, much of the crop ripens around the same time, which is handy for batch canning. Provide a cage or short stake for support.

Flavor profile

Rich and full-bodied with a dense, meaty texture that intensifies when cooked.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms specializes in non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds chosen for flavor and reliability, so you can grow proven varieties and save seed season after season.