The Best Tomatoes to Grow in the PNW
(for Every Space, Taste, and Temperament)
For many of us, the choice of which tomatoes to grow can be daunting. There are so many varieties, not to mention heirloom vs. hybrid, determinate vs. indeterminate, best for slicing vs. best for sauce. Some of us have huge, sunny backyards perfect for growing a dozen large varieties; others have one pot on a balcony and need the best tomato for a small space.
Whether you plan to grow enough tomatoes to feed the neighborhood or just one or two plants this year, the answer to the question "What is the best tomato to grow?" usually involves a mix of variables including space, timing, use, and the ever-important taste preference.
We've boiled down the tomato decision process into a few helpful questions, plus our suggestions depending on your answers; a secret (tomato) sauce, if you will, of how to make the right choice for your individual tomato needs. At the bottom of this post, there is also a handy tomato decision-tree infographic!
Note: This post is updated for 2024. Not all tomato varieties will be in stock all season but we would be thrilled to help you find great alternatives if something is out of stock!
Types of tomatoes
At Swansons, we break our tomatoes into three major groups:
Slicing Tomatoes: these are usually medium to large tomatoes that are excellent sliced and eaten raw in salads and sandwiches.
Cherry/Grape Tomatoes: bite-sized flavor-bombs of deliciousness.
Plum/Paste Tomatoes: firm flesh and fewer seeds make this type of tomato great for canning and making sauces but many plum/paste varieties are also yummy raw.
We also talk about Heirloom Tomatoes. These are varieties whose seed strain has been preserved intact and passed down in a community for 85 years or more (some people say 50 years or more; there’s no strong consensus). When plant Growers deliberately cross different tomato varieties to emphasize specific traits like disease-resistance or early-ripening, we call the resulting plants Hybrid Tomatoes. Hybrid does not equal GMO.
Tomato plants are also labeled as Determinate or Indeterminate. Determinate varieties tend to produce fruits that ripen all at once. Plants are typically smaller and often do not require cages but may need small stakes. Indeterminate varieties keep growing and producing fruit over a very long season. They grow larger and need to be staked or grown in cages to support their stems.
Questions and Answers:
The Best Tomatoes To Grow
How Much Space Do You Have?
Notice I didn’t say “Are you planting in containers or in the ground?” That’s because most tomatoes do really well in pots if they are large enough for the tomato you’ve chosen. So, containers vs. the ground isn’t really the question. It’s all about the size of the growing space.
Here’s an important fact: the size of the tomato plant does not necessarily correspond to the size of the fruit. Let’s take the cherry tomato, ‘Sungold’, as an example. The tomatoes are small but the plant is a monster! It grows very large and needs a lot of room, whether in a pot or in the ground.
A: I have tons of garden space or a really large container
Pretty much every tomato can be grown in the ground with at least two square feet of room for each plant or in a container that is at least 14” deep but preferably even bigger (20”-22” is great).
B: I have a small space in the garden but not 2 feet square
If you have a spot in the garden that isn’t enormous, consider a determinate variety. This type of tomato stays more compact and might need staking but not a large cage for support. ‘Bush Goliath’ is a great determinate slicing tomato; ‘Oregon Cherry’ is a tasty determinate cherry tomato, and ‘Paisano’ is a delicious determinate plum/paste tomato.
C: I have room for a smaller container or hanging basket
Again, any of the determinate tomatoes above are a great choice. Try to use a container that is at least 12” deep. You can also find even smaller varieties like the ‘Tumbling Tom’ series of cherry tomatoes that trail nicely in a hanging basket.
Do You Prefer Larger Or Smaller Tomatoes?
Some people prefer large tomatoes they can eat like an apple while others just love popping tiny cherry tomatoes like candy… It’s all about personal preference. Remember, there is not necessarily a correlation between plant size and tomato size. So, take into consideration how you answered above and then choose a tomato plant that fits your space AND has the size of fruit you prefer.
A: I want the largest tomatoes I can find (bring ‘em on!)
Here are some great varieties to try if you have a lot of space for a large plant:
‘Aunt Ruby’s Green’ (12-16 oz.)
‘Beefsteak’ (12-20 oz.)
‘Brandywine’ (10-12 oz)
‘Striped German’ (up to 3 lbs!)
Here are some smaller plants with larger tomatoes:
‘Black Sea Man’ (8-14 oz.)
‘Bush Goliath’ (6-8 oz.)
‘Oregon Spring’ (3-7 oz.)
B: The best things come in small packages (aka petite tomatoes are my jam)
Love the idea of popping a perfect, bite-sized tomato into your mouth? Cherry and grape tomatoes are for you.
Some of our favorites for large spaces include:
‘Sungold’
‘Chocolate Cherry’
‘Sweet Million’
For small spaces, try:
‘Oregon Cherry’
‘Tumbling Tom Red’
‘Tumbling Tom Yellow’
C: Size does not matter (I’m enlightened that way)
We bow to you and your open-minded ways. Move on to the next question, please.
‘Brandywine’ heirloom tomatoes are large slicing tomatoes with a sweet and spicy flavor.
What Do You Plan To Do With Your Tomatoes?
Legally, we can’t offer advice if you plan to throw your tomatoes at a terrible comedian… But we can help if you want to know which tomato to grow if you plan to make sauce or do some canning. Or maybe you prefer tomatoes that are excellent raw in sandwiches and salads? We have those, too.
A: I want to eat my tomatoes raw
Most tomato varieties are bred to taste great raw. Slicing tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and even most plum/paste tomatoes have a delicious flavor right off the vine.
For small spaces, try growing one of these determinate tomatoes:
‘Black Sea Man’
‘Tumbling Tom Red’ Cherry
‘Taxi’
‘Bush Goliath’
If you have lots of space, these tomatoes are delicious served raw:
‘Brandywine’
‘Sungold’
‘Striped German’
‘Jaune Flamme’
‘Moskovich’
B: I plan to make a big batch of sauce
If you plan to can your tomatoes or make sauce, choose a plum or paste tomato. Most plum/paste varieties are determinate, so they are smaller plants and the tomatoes ripen in a batch, perfect for processing and storing your harvest for future eating. We like ‘San Marzano’ (indeterminate), ‘Roma’, and ‘Paisano’.
If you’d like a tomato that works well both raw and in sauce, try ‘Amish Paste’. It’s an indeterminate tomato, though, so it needs lots of room to grow.
‘Roma’ tomatoes are the classic heirloom plum tomato, great for canning and making sauce.
What Are Your Flavor Preferences?
Do you have a sweet tooth? Or maybe you prefer a milder, less acidic tomato. Or, perhaps, a complex flavor profile suits your discriminating palette. Here’s what we suggest:
A: I love sweet tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a good bet. In fact, we call ‘Sweet 100’ vine candy! ‘Sungold’ tomatoes are also sweet with a hint of tropical flavor. ‘Striped German’ is a larger fruit that has a nice rich sweetness.
If you want a small-space tomato that’s sweet, try ‘Taxi’ or ‘Oregon Cherry’.
B: I prefer a mild flavor
‘Yellow Pear’ tomatoes often have a milder flavor, as do ‘Dona’ and ‘Seattle’s Best’.
C: I’m all about complexity
Look for darker-skinned, heirloom tomatoes. ‘Cherokee Purple’ has a good balance of sweet, acid, savory, and a hint of smokiness; ‘Brandywine’ complicates sweetness with a bit of spiciness; ‘Black Krim’ has a flavor profile that is smoky, salty, and sweet, all at once. Finally, ‘Black Sea Man’ has a rich, complex flavor and olive green shading on both the exterior and interior.
For small spaces, ‘Black Sea Man’ and ‘Ruby Crush’ have rich, complex flavors.
D: I like it tart
Not all tomatoes are sweet. Some of the best surprise us with their crisp, tart flavor. Try ‘Yellow Perfection’ or the outstanding tart, lemon-lime flavor of ‘Green Zebra’.
‘Green Zebra’ tomatoes have gorgeous striped skins and an unusual, tart lemon-lime flavor.
How Patient Are You?
Do you have the patience of a saint? Maybe you’re more of an I-want-it-all-right-NOW kind of a person? Choose your tomatoes wisely, because you could be in for a wait with some varieties.
A: I’m extremely patient (*pats self on back*)
Those big, juicy heirlooms and plum tomatoes from Italy? They’re delicious but be prepared to wait until late summer to harvest tomatoes like ‘Brandywine’, ‘San Marzano, ‘Amish Paste’, and ‘Cherokee Purple’.
B: Just give me some ripe tomatoes Right Away, why don’t ya!
It’s ok, we get it. Waiting for tomatoes to ripen in a Seattle summer is a little nerve-wracking. Will they or won’t they?
Early varieties have the best chance of ripening in our short growing season. Look for cherry tomatoes like ‘Sungold’ and ‘Oregon Cherry’ (great for small spaces), or these larger varieties: ‘Early Girl’, ‘Bush Goliath’ (small-space friendly), ‘Bloody Butcher’. ‘Moskovich’, and ‘Stupice’ perform well even in cool, damp summers (those Eastern European tomatoes know how to make the best of a chilly, short season).
Here’s a handy decision-tree infographic to help narrow down your choices even more. Our selection can change quickly, so not all of these varieties may be available at all times, but we’re always here to help you find the best tomato for your space. That's what we're here for!
Check out all of the tomato varieties we are carrying this year and remember, we’re excellent at offering suggestions and alternatives!
Ready to start growing? Here’s info on how to plant a tomato and how to protect it from the cold, plus tips on growing other warm-season vegetables like beans, peppers, eggplant, and squash.