How Many Tomato Varieties Are There?

Tomatoes come in all types, from the sweet cherry tomatoes clustering on a vine to the juicy beefsteak tomatoes you'd slap on a burger. You can grow varieties shaped like plums, pears, grapes, and more; you can choose between heirlooms varieties and new hybrids. So in short, there are hundreds to choose from.

Whichever variety you choose, keep in mind that tomatoes are what we call a long and lengthy plant, meaning they take up a lot of space in the garden and will grow for a long time (65 to 90 days before your first harvest, compared to the 30 to 40 days for something like kale, spinach, or herbs).

If you're ready to invest that kind of space and time in your garden, the fruits of your labor will be oh, so sweet.

My Favorite Tomato Varieties to Grow Are Indeterminate Tomatoes

Between determinate (bush) and indeterminate (vining) types, I prefer growing the latter. An indeterminate tomato will produce fruit in clusters over and over again until your first frost comes, while a determinate tomato plant will produce fruit all at once.

I train several cherry and grape tomato vines, both indeterminate, up and over my arch trellises every warm season and harvest clusters of tomatoes frequently from the vines. I love cherry and grape varieties because I can harvest a ton of them, cut them up, and use them just like I would a big tomato, but I don't have to wait around for a big tomato to form. Also, I'm not the type to spend a lot of time in my kitchen processing and canning fruits. With a vining type, I can pick a little, let it keep growing, and return to pick some more.

The tomato varieties named below are all, therefore, indeterminate types.

Black Cherry Tomatoes

This heirloom variety produces gorgeous dark purple cherry tomatoes in super productive clusters. You can't ask for a plant that's more attractive or with fruits that taste better than these.

Juliet Tomatoes

Incredibly tasty, Juliets produce small red grape tomatoes in abundance. I love how every cluster is dripping with fruits in different shades of green, yellow, orange, and red.

Sungold Tomatoes

This super popular variety of cherry tomatoes is probably the most prolific that I grow. Sungold are so named because they ripen to a beautiful golden orange. Once they start producing fruit, you can harvest from them twice a week. Each little fruit is super sweet and delicious. I'm not ashamed to admit I've polished off entire bowls of these things by myself.

Barry's Crazy Cherry Tomatoes

This tomato type is so rare, flavorful, productive, and delicious. If you're not a huge fan of more acidic tomatoes, then you'll love these.

Barry'z crazy cherry tomatoes were bred by a guy named Brad Gates (not Barry) of Wild Boar Farms, and I love pretty much everything I've ever grown that he's had a hand in.

These tomatoes are ripe when they turn yellow, and the plants themselves are real showstoppers.

Where to Buy Seeds for These Tomato Varieties

I love the heirloom varieties available from Baker Creek, Johnny's Selected Seeds, and Botanical Interests. You'll find so many options and flavors to try. We've been working hard to bring you our favorite seed varieties in the Gardenary shop. I also recommend visiting your local nursery and asking what grows well in your area.

In addition to the varieties mentioned above, I've also loved growing Sweet Million, Midnight Snacks (another gorgeous purple tomato variety), Paul Robeson, and Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes.

Ready to Grow Your Own?

Read our complete guide to growing your own tomatoes in your kitchen garden for details on when to plant your tomatoes, how to care for them, and the best way to harvest to encourage your vines to produce even more delicious fruits for you.