Organic 'Kangaroo Paw Brown' tomato
Organic 'Kangaroo Paw Brown' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a small, brown, dwarf tomato that is flavorful, compact, and surprisingly productive
The 'Kangaroo Paw Brown' tomato is a mid-season heirloom variety belonging to the compact dwarf tomato family, prized for its vigor, uniformity, and high yield on a small plant. Reaching approximately 60 cm in height, it boasts rough, regular foliage that supports an abundance of round to slightly flattened, chocolate-brown-shouldered fruits, weighing 2 to 6 oz each. Their deep crimson flesh is juicy and rich, offering a complex, sweet, and profound flavor typical of the finest black tomatoes.
This variety is perfectly suited to pots, small gardens, patios, and tight flowerbeds. Despite its compact size, it produces impressively and consistently, making it an excellent choice for those who want to grow flavorful black tomatoes in a limited space.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/Habit : Determinate, compact dwarf and prolific
Plant height : 60 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very tasty dwarf brown variety, ideal for pots, high yield
Fruit color : Chocolate brown, crimson flesh
Fruit shape : Round to slightly flattened
Fruit size/weight : Small to medium (2–6 oz)
Fruit type : Small saladette / dwarf
Texture/flesh : Juicy, rich, sweet and aromatic
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix, maintaining a temperature of 23–29°C for germination in 5 to 10 days . Reduce watering and nitrogen during hardening off to produce short, sturdy seedlings.
Transplant when all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) apart, with 120 to 180 cm (4 to 6 feet) between rows. Provide full sun (level 3) and regular watering (watering level 3) . Due to its determined and compact growth habit, light staking may be sufficient at the peak of the season.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit shows its dark brown color and crimson flesh. To get a head start, pick those that are showing their first signs of color , then let them ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store them between 12 and 21°C , at 95% relative humidity , to preserve their juicy texture and characteristic sweetness.
Usage ideas
• Perfect in heirloom tomato salads where its chocolate color creates a rich contrast
• Delicious sliced , ideal for sandwiches and veggie burgers
• Excellent when preserved or roasted , concentrating its deep notes
• Ideal for growing in pots or small garden spaces
The 'Kangaroo Paw Brown' tomato is a small, chocolatey marvel: compact, robust, flavorful, and highly productive. A must-have heirloom variety for black tomato lovers and gardeners with limited space.