History
Spoon Tomato is one of the oldest and most charming heirloom tomatoes in cultivation — a true currant-type tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium) that traces its roots to the wild tomatoes of South America. Named for its tiny, spoon-shaped fruits, this variety has been grown in American gardens since at least the 1800s and is believed to be among the closest living relatives to the original wild tomato. Unlike modern cherry tomatoes, Spoon is a true species tomato — smaller, more intensely flavored, and extraordinarily prolific. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, Spoon Tomato is a living piece of horticultural history that rewards gardeners with an almost endless harvest of the most flavorful tiny tomatoes imaginable.
Plant Profile
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Days to Maturity: 70–80 days from transplant
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Fruit Size: Tiny — roughly the size of a pea or small grape, 0.5–1 inch in diameter
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Skin Color: Bright red when fully ripe
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Flesh Color: Deep red, dense, and intensely sweet
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Plant Height: Indeterminate — vines reach 6–8 feet or more; requires staking or caging
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom currant tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium)
Flavor Profile
Spoon Tomato delivers an explosion of concentrated tomato flavor in the tiniest possible package. The fruits are intensely sweet with a bright, tangy finish — more complex and aromatic than most modern cherry tomatoes. The skin is notably firm and thick for such a small fruit, giving each one a satisfying pop when bitten into, followed by a rush of sweet, acidic juice that is unmistakably tomato at its most elemental. Gardeners who grow Spoon for the first time are often surprised by how much flavor is packed into such a small fruit — these are not snacking tomatoes so much as flavor bombs, best eaten straight from the vine in the warm afternoon sun.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Spoon Tomato is a vigorous, indeterminate vine that produces extraordinary quantities of tiny fruits from midsummer through first frost. A single well-grown plant can yield hundreds — even thousands — of fruits over the course of a season. The vines are sprawling and energetic, easily reaching 6–8 feet, and benefit from strong staking or a large tomato cage. Fruits ripen in large clusters, making harvest a matter of running your fingers along the stems and collecting the ripe ones as they fall. In a 10-foot row of 2–3 plants, expect an almost continuous harvest from July through October.
Disease Resistance
- Excellent natural disease resistance as a wild-type species tomato — far more resilient than most modern hybrids
- Good tolerance to early blight and septoria leaf spot under normal garden conditions
- Resistant to many common soilborne diseases when grown in well-drained, fertile soil
- Tip: Rotate tomatoes with non-solanaceous crops annually to reduce disease pressure
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: 24–36 inches apart in rows 36–48 inches apart — these vines get large
- Sow depth: ¼ inch deep indoors; do not direct sow in most climates
- Germination: 5–10 days at soil temps of 70–80°F
- Full sun — at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant after all frost danger has passed
- Stake or cage early — Spoon vines are vigorous and will sprawl without support
- Consistent moisture produces the best yields; mulch around the base to retain soil moisture
When to Plant
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Spoon Tomato thrives in warm conditions and will reward you with a long, productive season from midsummer through fall. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Basil — the classic tomato companion; repels aphids and whiteflies while enhancing flavor when grown nearby
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Marigolds — deter nematodes, aphids, and a wide range of garden pests when planted around tomatoes
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Nasturtiums — act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from tomato plants
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Carrots — loosen soil around tomato roots and attract beneficial predatory insects
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Avoid planting near: fennel, brassicas, and other solanaceous crops (peppers, eggplant) in the same bed to reduce shared disease pressure
How to Enjoy
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Fresh from the vine: The best way to eat Spoon Tomatoes — pop them directly into your mouth for an instant burst of sweet, tangy tomato flavor
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Salads: Scatter whole Spoon Tomatoes over green salads or grain bowls for a colorful, flavorful garnish
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Charcuterie & cheese boards: Their tiny size and intense flavor make them a stunning addition to any appetizer spread
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Roasted: Roast whole on a sheet pan with olive oil and sea salt — they caramelize beautifully and concentrate into an intensely flavored sauce
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Preserved: Pack into small jars with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a stunning preserved tomato that lasts all winter
Why Gardeners Love Spoon Tomato
- One of the most prolific tomatoes you can grow — a single plant produces hundreds of fruits all season long
- Intensely sweet and complex flavor that outshines most modern cherry tomatoes
- A true heirloom species tomato — one of the closest living relatives to the original wild tomato
- Exceptional disease resistance — naturally tough and resilient in the garden
- Endlessly charming — tiny, jewel-like fruits that delight gardeners and visitors alike
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year from the best fruits
Harvest Tips
- Harvest when fruits are fully red and come away from the stem with the lightest touch — overripe fruits will fall on their own
- Check plants daily at peak season — fruits ripen quickly and in large numbers
- Harvest in the morning for the best flavor and firmness
- Do not refrigerate — store at room temperature and enjoy within 1–2 days of harvest for peak flavor
- Save seeds from the best fruits at season's end — Spoon Tomato comes true from seed every year
Order Today
Add Spoon Tomato Heirloom Seeds to your garden this season and grow one of the most prolific, flavorful, and historically significant tomatoes in cultivation — tiny fruits, enormous flavor, and a harvest that never seems to end. Choose your pack size and begin to grow.
