Sow seeds 0.5 cm (1/4 in) deep in a light, clean mix kept gently moist. Maintain 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) until emergence, which generally takes 5 to 10 days. Move seedlings under bright light as soon as they emerge so they remain compact and sturdy. Water carefully at soil level when the surface begins to dry, without leaving the mix waterlogged. Pot seedlings on after true leaves develop and rotate containers regularly for even growth. Gentle air movement also helps strengthen stems. Because every growing space behaves differently, watch moisture, temperature and seedling vigour rather than watering on a fixed schedule. Healthy roots, steady light and moderate moisture provide the best start before plants are hardened off for outdoor conditions.
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Indeterminate anthocyanin heart tomato
Solanaceae
Fruit vegetable seeds
Crushed Heart tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Crushed Heart’)
Solanum lycopersicum
Crushed Heart tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Crushed Heart’) is a distinctive edible variety for full sun and fertile, well-drained soil after a warm indoor start. Plants benefit from consistent watering, good air circulation and support once branches become heavily loaded. Harvest fruit after it develops its characteristic colour and texture, then enjoy it for thick slices, salads, sandwiches, carpaccio, sauces, pasta, soups, drying and salsa. This variety can also grow successfully in a large, well-drained container. Regular picking encourages continued production through the season. Adjust care gradually as seasonal conditions change. Adjust watering to the weather and the plant’s visible vigour.
Quantity
Approximately 10 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Easy
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
lycopersicum
Cultivar
Crushed Heart
Type
Indeterminate anthocyanin heart tomato
Cycle
Annual in Canada
Crushed Heart tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Crushed Heart’) is an edible variety selected for its distinctive harvest and garden appeal. It suits gardeners looking for a productive, colourful crop that is easy to enjoy in seasonal meals. Flavour, colour and heat can change with maturity, sunlight and growing conditions. Pick fruit after it develops its characteristic ripe colour and a texture suited to the intended use. A homegrown crop makes it possible to taste the variety fresh, choose the preferred picking stage and gather manageable amounts throughout the season. It also brings seasonal interest.
Start seed indoors in a light mix, 0.5 cm (1/4 in) deep, and maintain 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) until emergence. Give seedlings bright light promptly and water without saturating the mix. After the last frost, harden plants gradually before setting them in full sun and fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Follow the recommended spacing so air can move through the foliage. Water deeply at soil level when the surface begins to dry. Light mulch helps moderate moisture changes, while a stake or cage can support heavily loaded branches. Check young plants regularly during establishment.
Pick ripe fruit regularly to keep plants productive. The harvest is well suited to thick slices, salads, sandwiches, carpaccio, sauces, pasta, soups, drying and salsa. With hot varieties, begin with a tiny amount and wear gloves whenever intensity is high. Sound fruit stores best when harvested dry and handled without bruising. For container culture, choose a large pot with good drainage, monitor watering more frequently and feed moderately. Before an expected frost, gather remaining usable fruit. Sort the harvest and use fruit with a small mark or more delicate skin first. Refrigerate or process the harvest promptly.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 in) apart and provide sturdy support.
Establishment temperature
22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F)
Establishment time
5 to 10 days
Best planting time
Transplant after frost danger has passed, once soil is warm and nights remain mild.
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow Crushed Heart indoors six to eight weeks before final frost, generally in March or early April in Canada. Place seed 0.5 cm deep in fine, moist, well-aerated mix. Maintain 22 to 26°C and even moisture without saturation; emergence commonly takes five to ten days. As seedlings appear, provide intense light for fourteen to sixteen hours daily. Pot them individually once true leaves develop, then move them on before roots circle the container. Feed lightly and maintain gentle air circulation. Harden plants outdoors for seven to ten days. Transplant only after frost danger has passed, into warm soil in full sun. Space plants approximately 50 cm apart, bury part of an elongated stem if necessary, install a tall sturdy cage, water at ground level and mulch after soil warms. Inspect lower leaves, aphids and signs of water stress regularly. Remove unhealthy foliage with clean tools and avoid working among wet plants. Label each pot, clean reused trays and never leave young roots standing in a water-filled saucer. Maintain steady warmth without placing leaves against cold window glass. Observe seedlings daily and adjust lamp height as growth changes. Keep concise growing notes.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
0°C; highly frost-sensitive plant
Watering
Water deeply at soil level when the upper few centimetres begin to dry. Maintain even moisture during flowering and fruit enlargement because alternating drought and excess water stresses the plant. Avoid unnecessarily wetting foliage and never allow a container to stand in water.
Soil type
Loose, fertile, organic-rich yet very well-drained soil supports rooting and fruit production. A loamy texture that holds even moisture without remaining saturated is ideal. Incorporate mature compost before planting and avoid compacted, cold or continually waterlogged ground.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. After establishment, apply a balanced or fruiting-vegetable fertilizer according to its label without excessive nitrogen. Light, regular container feeding supports flowering; reduce fertilizer if foliage becomes lush at the expense of flowers and fruit.
Seasonal care
In spring, keep seedlings under intense light, pot them on before roots circle the container and feed lightly. Harden plants for seven to ten days, then transplant after final frost into warm soil. In early summer, install a cage, mulch after soil warms and water deeply at ground level when the surface begins to dry. Check regularly for aphids, whiteflies, slugs and leaf spots. Remove only diseased lower leaves or foliage touching soil; avoid severe pruning of the indeterminate plant. During fruiting, maintain even moisture to reduce cracking and blossom-end rot, and use tomato fertilizer without excessive nitrogen. Pick fully coloured fruit progressively. In late summer, monitor cool nights and move a container under shelter when necessary. After frost, remove diseased debris, clean cages and rotate the site for three to four years away from other Solanaceae. Keep notes on watering and symptoms to improve future crops. Record flowering and first-harvest dates. During prolonged rain, improve airflow without working among wet foliage. Remove rotten fruit promptly and avoid composting heavily diseased tissue. Check ties as clusters enlarge. In containers, occasionally flush the mix with deep watering if fertilizer salts accumulate. Save seed only from healthy, fully mature, representative fruit after adequate flower isolation. Inspect irrigation emitters regularly, keep fallen leaves away from the stem and separate questionable fruit from the sound harvest. These observations make crop rotation and future container management more reliable.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
Minimum 30 to 50 litres with a tall cage or sturdy stake.
Crushed Heart suits container growing because of its indeterminate habit. Choose a pot holding at least 30 litres, ideally 30 to 40 litres, with generous drainage holes. Fill it with rich vegetable potting mix rather than compacted garden soil. Install a cage or stake at transplanting so roots are not damaged later. Position the pot where it receives six to eight hours of direct sun. Water deeply when the surface begins to dry; during hot periods, check moisture daily without allowing water to remain in the saucer. Feed lightly but regularly according to the label of a tomato fertilizer. Mulch the surface to reduce moisture swings. Rotate the container if light comes mainly from one direction, remove diseased lower leaves and pick ripe fruit progressively. A movable pot can be sheltered during an unusually cool night. Maintain airflow between neighbouring containers and clean supports before reuse. Check ties after windy weather and harvest without pulling on clusters. Keep the label visible throughout the season and replace compacted surface mulch when necessary. Inspect drainage after heavy rain and clean the cage before using it the following season. Record watering during heat waves.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Medium green; regular foliage often light or wispy.
Foliage type
Deciduous; narrow regular foliage often light or wispy, not potato-leaf foliage.
Growth rate
Fast
Bloom period
Clusters of small yellow tomato flowers; mild warmth and even moisture support fruit set.
Fruiting
Deeply indented pointed heart-shaped fruit, generally 100 to 300 g, pink to pink-red with green, gold and dark anthocyanin streaks.
Harvest
Harvest once non-anthocyanin areas become fully pink to pink-red and fruit yields slightly without becoming soft.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil, parsley, lettuce, onions and nectar-rich annual flowers.
Avoid planting with
Avoid fennel and rotate after other Solanaceae crops.
Thick slices, salads, sandwiches, carpaccio, sauces, pasta, soups, drying and salsa.
From the garden to inspiration.
Prepare Crushed Heart bruschetta to highlight the fruit’s colour and juicy flesh. Dice approximately 500 g of ripe tomatoes and drain them in a sieve for ten minutes to remove excess juice. Combine with one small minced garlic clove, two tablespoons olive oil, one teaspoon balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, a pinch of salt and black pepper. Rest for fifteen minutes at room temperature. Toast baguette slices, rub them lightly with a cut garlic clove, then add the tomato mixture immediately before serving so the bread remains crisp. Add fresh cheese or mashed white beans if desired. Use only sound fruit, wash it thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers promptly in a sealed container. This simple preparation preserves the visible pink and red striping better than prolonged cooking. For a neat presentation, choose similarly coloured tomatoes, drain without pressing and add basil at the last moment. Serve the preparation on the same day for the best texture.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Wait until all danger of frost has passed and nights remain consistently mild before transplanting. Harden plants for seven to ten days by gradually increasing their exposure to sun, wind and outdoor temperatures. Set them in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, following the spacing recommended on the product page. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain even moisture while roots establish. A light mulch can reduce soil splash and slow moisture loss, but keep it away from the main stem. If unusually cold or windy weather is forecast, protect young plants temporarily. They establish more readily in warm soil, so delaying planting slightly is usually better than exposing tender growth to cold conditions that can stall development.
Yes. Choose a large container with several drainage holes and fill it with a rich yet airy potting mix. Place it in full sun and provide a stake or cage if the plant becomes tall or heavily loaded with fruit. Containers dry faster than garden beds, so check moisture regularly and water deeply when the upper layer feels dry. Do not leave the pot standing in water. Moderate, regular feeding is preferable to one very concentrated application. Regular harvesting also encourages the plant to continue producing. Check moisture daily during very hot or windy periods, and shelter the pot from drying winds.
Begin watching fruit as maturity approaches, relying mainly on colour, firmness and how easily it releases from the plant. Pick carefully so stems and neighbouring fruit are not damaged. Fruit intended for immediate use can remain on the plant until fully coloured for the best flavour and appearance. Regular picking supports continued production and reduces the chance that overripe fruit will split or attract pests. Store sound fruit in cool conditions appropriate for its type, and use any cracked or bruised fruit promptly. Check plants often during peak season because warm weather can bring several fruit to maturity within only a few days.
Seed can be saved when the product is not an F1 hybrid, although the next generation may vary if flowers received pollen from another compatible variety. Choose healthy, well-shaped fruit that has reached full maturity. Remove and clean the seed as appropriate for the crop, then let it dry completely away from direct sunlight. Store it in a clearly labelled envelope in cool, dry and dark conditions. For offspring that more closely resemble the parent, isolate flowers or separate compatible varieties. If the packet identifies the variety as F1, or if hybrid status is uncertain, purchasing fresh seed is the more dependable way to obtain the expected plant and fruit characteristics next season.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
