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Dark-fruited indeterminate heirloom tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic 'Black Prince' tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Product code : BIOVO-0163
Organic Black Prince is an open-pollinated heirloom tomato with dark reddish-brown to purplish fruit and juicy, aromatic flesh. It brings depth of colour to a tomato salad and can be sliced for sandwiches or served with a few fresh herbs. Indeterminate growth calls for a reliable support, open access, and continued tying as stems extend. Sow indoors, harden seedlings, and transplant after frost risk into warm, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid erratic watering during fruit development. Harvest according to the variety's colour and texture rather than expecting ordinary bright-red skin, and keep picked tomatoes out of direct sun until they reach the kitchen.
- Quantity
- Approximately 30 seeds
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Warm-season annual
Discover the plant
Common nameBlack Prince tomato
FamilySolanaceae
GenusSolanum
Specieslycopersicum
CultivarBlack Prince
TypeDark-fruited indeterminate heirloom tomato
Botanical nameSolanum lycopersicum
Reproducible seedsYes
Heirloom varietyYes
Organic 'Black Prince' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an organic heirloom open-pollinated indeterminate variety. It produces large dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit with dense juicy aromatic flesh. Rich complex flavour combines mild sweetness with fine acidity characteristic of dark tomatoes. Each selection contains approximately 30 organic heirloom open-pollinated seeds. Plants reach 1.8–2.1 m, spread about 60 cm, and begin maturing near 70 days after transplanting. Its indeterminate habit needs strong support and open access for repeated harvest. Fruit colour develops progressively and gentle firmness helps confirm readiness better than colour alone.
Sow indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture; germination generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot up once true leaves develop, then harden gradually. After frost and once soil warms transplant in full sun into deep fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Install a sturdy cage or stake immediately. Mulch only after soil warms and keep the crown clear. Maintain generous spacing so air moves through the supported canopy after rain or morning dew. Recheck every tie after strong wind.
Water deeply and consistently at soil level without saturating the ground, then mulch once it is warm. Tie stems as they grow and monitor cracking blossom-end rot insects and foliar disease. Harvest when fruit has its characteristic dark colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Colour varies with maturity and sunlight and should not be judged like a uniformly red tomato. Pick before frost and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit. Clean tools between plants whenever symptoms appear. Harvest sound ripe tomatoes carefully and bring developed fruit indoors before forecast frost. Keep picked fruit away from direct sunlight.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate indeterminate growth and air circulation.
Germination temperature
21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F)
Germination time
7 to 14 days
Sowing period
March through April indoors Adjust these dates to your local frost dates and soil conditions; Canadian growing seasons vary by region.
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
When to start tomato seeds indoors: 'Black Prince' tomato. Sow about 0.5 cm deep in clean seed-starting mix six to eight weeks before the local average last frost. Use clean, moist seed starting mix that drains freely, and never leave the tray saturated. Keep the mix at 21 to 27 °C and evenly moist, but never saturated; seedlings normally emerge in 7 to 14 days. Give them strong light immediately and pot them up after true leaves form. Handle the root ball carefully and preserve the cultivar label. Harden plants in stages, gradually increasing direct sun and wind exposure while protecting them from frost. Transplant only after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed, selecting full sun and fertile, well-drained ground. Black Prince is vigorous and indeterminate, reaching about 1.8 to 2.1 m, so install a tall cage or sturdy stake at planting. Leave generous room for airflow, tying, and access to the large fruit. Water deeply at soil level and maintain even moisture through fruit fill. Feed moderately; excess nitrogen can encourage leaves while postponing flowering and ripening. Begin checking fruit around 70 days after transplanting. Harvest when the round to slightly flattened tomatoes develop a dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown colour and yield slightly while remaining sound. Support loaded branches, use soft ties, pick regularly, and bring developed fruit indoors before the first autumn frost.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10 °C (50 °F)
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Large fruit on 'Black Prince' tomato benefits from an even water supply while it expands, since abrupt drought-to-soaking cycles can split developing tomatoes. 'Black Prince' tomato's large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit is carried on indeterminate vigorous and climbing growth, so extend watering beyond the stem as the supported canopy enlarges. The harvest guide for 'Black Prince' tomato is approximately 70 days after transplanting; maintain moisture while younger clusters continue filling. Water 'Black Prince' tomato slowly at the base, soak its root zone, then wait until the upper soil begins to dry before irrigating again.
Soil type
'Black Prince' tomato needs generous, stable soil volume for its large fruit and sustained root activity. Prepare 'Black Prince' tomato's bed for indeterminate vigorous and climbing growth bearing large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit, not only for the small spring transplant. Allow approximately 70 days after transplanting for 'Black Prince' tomato to develop, providing soil volume that stays aerated after repeated watering. Before setting 'Black Prince' tomato, mix mature compost through the area while preserving a crumbly structure rather than a dense amended pocket. For 'Black Prince' tomato, use the supplied pH range of approximately 6.0 to 6.8 as the soil-testing target.
Fertilization
'Black Prince' benefits from balanced fertility before its first trusses. Base extra feeding on tested need, not a calendar. For 'Black Prince' tomato, fruit development competes with foliage under excessive nitrogen. Pause feeding when growth already looks balanced. For Black Prince tomato, its root zone needs consistent moisture while fruit enlarges. Stop when fertilizer begins favouring soft excess growth. Fertilizer cannot correct water-related disorders on 'Black Prince'. Let a soil test guide any corrective amendment. Once 'Black Prince' tomato flowers, favour steady growth over leafy surges.
Moisture
Consistent soil moisture without saturation; good air circulation around the foliage.
Seasonal care
Seasonal care for 'Black Prince' tomato. For the first sowing of 'Black Prince' tomato, use this crop-specific timing as a guide and adjust it to the garden: indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost. Label the tray or row after sowing 0.5 cm deep; seed generally emerges in 7 to 14 days at 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F), and slower seeds should not be disturbed. Keep young seedlings close to strong light, rotate trays for balanced growth, and pot them on before roots become crowded. After several days of hardening, set 'Black Prince' plants outdoors only when frost danger has passed and nights have become reliably mild. Install a sturdy support at planting and guide new growth before stems become heavy or tangled. Prepare a sunny, well-drained bed; mix mature compost through the root zone and keep the lower leaves clear of soil splash. Water slowly and deeply, allowing the surface to start drying before the next irrigation so large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit develops under steady conditions. 'Black Prince' tomato container guidance: 50 to 75 L and 45 to 60 cm wide. Set the pot where runoff can escape and light is adequate. As yellow flowers open, preserve airflow around 'Black Prince', check ties and supports, and watch the undersides of leaves for early pest or disease signs. Use the supplied harvest guidance—approximately 70 days after transplanting—as a starting point; judge each fruit by developed colour, full size, and a slight yield under gentle pressure. Harvest 'Black Prince' regularly without pulling the vine, and bring sound, well-developed fruit indoors before the first hard frost.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
50 to 75 L; container 45 to 60 cm wide
Growing 'Black Prince' tomato in containers. For 'Black Prince', choose a container matching this guide: 50 to 75 L; container 45 to 60 cm wide. Keep several drainage holes unobstructed. Place the pot in full sun where heat reflected from pavement will not overheat the roots. For 'Black Prince', the expected harvest form—large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit—helps confirm crop identity, while local warmth and plant health still influence maturity. Set one established this tomato plant at an appropriate depth and keep the stem clear of the rim and mulch. Leave the vine open to light, airflow, and watering at soil level. Its growth is indeterminate, vigorous, and climbing. Water slowly when the upper mix begins drying, continue until surplus drains, and empty the saucer. Match the crop to full sun and observe the actual hours of unobstructed light at the site. Feed at a modest labelled rate after watering. Excess nitrogen can delay flowering and ripening while encouraging leafy growth. The spacing guidance for the tomato plant is approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart; use it when balancing airflow with the available growing area. Check ties after wind, remove only damaged lower leaves, and preserve airflow through the supported canopy. As nights cool, check ties and actual root-zone moisture before deciding whether temporary shelter is worthwhile. Let colour, firmness, and full development guide harvest rather than a fixed date. If the pot is moved before frost, check leaf undersides and keep it separate from other indoor plants.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
1.8 to 2.1 m (6 to 7 ft)
Width / spread
Approximately 60 cm (24 in)
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in your region
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Indeterminate vigorous and climbing
Bloom period
'Black Prince' carries small yellow self-fertile flowers in clusters along its flowering stems. Breezes or bumblebee vibration normally release their pollen. Avoid treating every fallen flower as disease. For 'Black Prince', after successful set, each retained blossom begins developing the large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit. Keep moisture even, avoid a nitrogen surge, and support the canopy before fruit adds weight. In the 'Black Prince' tomato planting, heat, cold, or drought may cause temporary blossom drop; correct the environment before pruning or feeding heavily. Water at soil level so open blossoms remain dry. Observe 'Black Prince' tomato through several flower clusters before judging set.
Fruiting
Pollinated flowers progressively form large dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit with dense juicy aromatic flesh. First harvest begins near 70 days after transplanting. Colour varies with ripeness and sunlight, so also assess gentle yielding. Maintain even moisture to limit cracking. Exact fruit weight and yield are not guaranteed. Use the stated form—large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit—with firmness and colour to judge ripeness rather than relying on one cue alone.
Days to maturity
Approximately 70 days after transplanting
Harvest
Generally harvest around 70 days after transplanting when fruit shows its characteristic dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Colour may vary with maturity and sunlight. Support the fruit and cut its stem with a clean tool. Pick progressively because the indeterminate plant continues producing. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Low herbs and early lettuce can neighbour 'Black Prince' without claiming to prevent tomato pests or disease. A companion does not guarantee control of insects or disease, so inspect every crop separately. When arranging neighbours for 'Black Prince', position low neighbours outside the mature spread of the tomato plant. Rotate 'Black Prince' tomato away from tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes rather than treating companionship as disease control. Match irrigation to each root zone instead of watering the entire combination by habit. When arranging neighbours for 'Black Prince' tomato, preserve a clear route to the large round to slightly flattened dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit, and remove neighbours that begin shading fruit or trapping damp air. Reassess the arrangement around 'Black Prince' as both crops approach mature size.
Plants to avoid
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Ripe fruit
'Black Prince' tomato in the kitchen. Fresh Black Prince sauce — Rinse 700 g of sound ripe tomatoes, dry them, remove the stems, and cut the fruit into chunks. Warm 20 mL olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add one small diced onion and cook until translucent, then stir in one minced garlic clove for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt. Simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally and crushing only some pieces so the sauce remains rustic. Remove the pan from the heat and fold in chopped basil. Serve thoroughly hot over pasta, grains, polenta, or toasted bread. Use clean utensils and keep tomato leaves and stems out of the pan. Discard fruit that is mouldy, leaking, slimy, deeply split, or abnormal-smelling. Cool extra sauce promptly in a shallow covered container and refrigerate it within two hours, or freeze it in labelled portions. This fresh sauce is not shelf stable; for canning, follow a current tested recipe with its required acidification and processing.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When should Black Prince be sown and transplanted in your region?
Begin Black Prince indoors about six to eight weeks before the date you expect to plant outside. Sow 0.5 cm (¼ in) deep and maintain 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F), with germination expected in 7 to 14 days. Move emerged seedlings into strong light and pot them on before roots circle tightly. Harden them gradually, then wait until the final frost has passed and nights are warm before transplanting. Add a robust cage or stake immediately: this indeterminate tomato can climb 1.8 to 2.1 m and bears large fruit. Its dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown crop is listed at approximately 70 days after transplanting. Treat that figure as a guide and use full cultivar colour plus a slight, sound yield to judge ripeness.
Is Black Prince tomato determinate or indeterminate?
Black Prince has an indeterminate, vigorous, climbing habit. It does not stop at a compact terminal height; the vine continues making new stems, flowers, and fruit through suitable weather. Expect approximately 1.8 to 2.1 m of height and about 60 cm of spread. Place a tall cage or stake before or during transplanting so later installation does not damage roots. Secure lengthening stems with loose ties and keep the large fruit supported and accessible. If grown in a pot, reserve 50–75 L in a container 45 to 60 cm wide and protect it from tipping. Ongoing growth means the harvest is progressive. Continue inspecting and tying the upper vine while picking dark, mature fruit lower on the plant, rather than waiting for one synchronized crop.
When should Black Prince tomatoes be harvested?
Begin checking Black Prince about 70 days after transplanting. Its large fruit matures dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown rather than standard bright red. Pick when the full mature colour has developed and the tomato gives slightly to gentle pressure without feeling soft. Inspect each fruit separately because this indeterminate vine ripens its crop progressively. Support the tomato with one hand while detaching it so the loaded branch is not twisted. Use cracked but otherwise sound fruit promptly and reject any that leaks, smells abnormal, or shows mould. Continue tying new growth after the first harvest and leave firm, incompletely coloured fruit on the plant. A note or photograph of the first correctly ripe Black Prince can help distinguish its normal dark colour from an overripe appearance later in the season.
Can Black Prince be grown in a container?
Yes. Grow Black Prince in a 50–75 L container that is approximately 45 to 60 cm wide and cannot tip easily. Multiple drainage holes are essential. Add a robust cage or stake at planting because this indeterminate tomato is expected to climb 1.8 to 2.1 m; installing support later can injure established roots. After frost danger has passed, position the pot in full sun and shelter it from severe wind where possible. Water slowly until surplus drains, then check the root zone often during summer rather than following a rigid schedule. Secure lengthening stems with soft ties and keep air moving through the plant. Black Prince matures its dark reddish- to purplish-brown fruit at roughly 70 days after transplanting. Pick ripe fruit regularly so its weight does not overload the container support.
Can Black Prince seed be saved?
Black Prince is an heirloom tomato, so seed can be saved from healthy, true-to-type plants. Choose a fully ripe dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown fruit from the vigorous indeterminate vine. Process seed by a recognized tomato-saving method, dry it completely, and label it with the cultivar and year. Tomatoes usually self-pollinate, but compatible varieties flowering nearby can still cross through insect visits. Isolate blossoms or maintain suitable separation when seed purity matters. Avoid seed from mouldy, diseased, or atypical fruit. If pollination history is unknown, keep the saved lot separate and grow several trial plants. Confirm the climbing habit and large dark fruit before relying on the seed for a main Black Prince crop or distributing it as true-to-type stock.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Black Prince flowers do not need pollen from another tomato cultivar to form fruit. Wind and insects can assist movement within a flower. If tomatoes are grown behind a windbreak, check that the canopy still has air circulation; a completely still, crowded corner is not improved simply by placing more flowering pots nearby.
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