Tomato ‘Black Russian’ Vegetable Seeds
Grow distinctive dark-coloured tomatoes with rich, complex flavour and juicy, meaty flesh. Black Russian Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an heirloom, open-pollinated tomato variety producing medium to large fruit that ripens to an unusual deep reddish-brown, mahogany or dark purple-red colour.
Black Russian is particularly valued for flavour. The ripe fruit combines sweetness with rich, savoury and subtly smoky notes, making it an excellent tomato for slicing, salads, sandwiches and fresh eating. The juicy, meaty flesh is also suitable for sauces, cooking and preserving.
An indeterminate variety, Black Russian continues growing and producing flowering trusses while conditions remain favourable. Plants require staking or trellising and perform best in full sun with fertile, free-draining soil and consistent moisture.
Black Russian Tomato Seed Details
| Botanical name | Solanum lycopersicum |
|---|---|
| Variety | Black Russian |
| Variety type | Heirloom, open-pollinated |
| Growth habit | Indeterminate / climbing |
| Fruit colour | Deep reddish-brown to mahogany with darker shoulders when ripe |
| Fruit shape | Round to slightly flattened |
| Fruit size | Medium to large; size varies with growing conditions |
| Flavour | Rich, complex and sweet with savoury / smoky notes |
| Position | Full sun |
| Sowing depth | Approximately 5–6 mm |
| Germination | Approximately 7–14 days under suitable warm conditions |
| Plant spacing | Approximately 50–80 cm |
| Harvest | Approximately 75–100 days, depending on growing conditions |
Why Grow Black Russian Tomato?
- Distinctive heirloom tomato with dark reddish-brown to mahogany fruit.
- Open-pollinated variety with a rich, complex tomato flavour.
- Sweet flavour complemented by savoury and subtly smoky notes.
- Produces juicy, meaty medium to large tomatoes.
- Excellent slicing tomato for salads, sandwiches and fresh eating.
- Also suitable for sauces, cooking, preserving and drying.
- Indeterminate plants can continue flowering and producing fruit over an extended season.
- Distinctive colour provides contrast when combined with red, yellow and other tomato varieties.
How to Grow Black Russian Tomato from Seed
Black Russian is a warm-season, frost-tender tomato that performs best in full sun with fertile, free-draining soil. As an indeterminate variety, plants require sturdy support and can continue growing and producing fruit throughout favourable conditions.
- Choose a warm, sunny position.
Select a location receiving full sun. Good light is important for strong growth, flowering, fruit development and ripening. - Prepare fertile, free-draining soil.
Grow in fertile soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter where required. Tomatoes need good drainage and should not be grown in persistently waterlogged soil. - Sow the tomato seeds.
Sow approximately 5–6 mm deep into seedling trays, cells or small pots filled with quality seed-raising mix. Cover lightly and water gently. - Keep seedlings warm.
Tomato seeds germinate most reliably under warm conditions. Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged while seedlings establish. - Transplant after frost danger has passed.
Harden established seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Tomatoes are frost tender, so wait until outdoor conditions are reliably warm. - Provide sturdy support.
Black Russian is indeterminate and should be grown against stakes, a tomato cage or trellis. Install support early to avoid damaging established roots later. - Water consistently.
Maintain reasonably even soil moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Large fluctuations between dry and very wet soil can contribute to fruit splitting. - Harvest carefully.
Black Russian develops an unusually dark mature colour rather than the bright red associated with conventional tomatoes. Harvest once fruit has developed its characteristic mahogany colour and has begun to soften slightly.
When to Plant Black Russian Tomato Seeds in Australia
Black Russian is a warm-season, frost-tender tomato. Planting times vary across Australia, with tropical and subtropical growers generally favouring the milder parts of the year and gardeners in cooler climates sowing in preparation for spring and summer.
| Climate | General Sowing Guide |
|---|---|
| Tropical | Approximately February–August, favouring the cooler and drier growing period |
| Subtropical | Approximately August–April, adjusted for local frost, summer heat, rainfall and humidity |
| Temperate | Approximately August–December; start early sowings indoors or with additional warmth and transplant after frost danger has passed |
| Cool / frost-prone | Approximately September–December; start with protection where required and transplant outdoors after the final frost |
These periods are a general guide. Local frost dates, temperatures, rainfall and humidity should be considered when deciding when to establish tomato plants.
Why Are Black Russian Tomatoes Dark?
Despite the name, Black Russian tomatoes do not usually become truly black. The mature fruit develops a distinctive combination of deep red, brown, mahogany and purple-red tones, often with darker colouring around the shoulders.
The interior is similarly distinctive, with dark red to reddish-brown, juicy flesh.
Fruit colour can vary according to growing conditions and stage of ripeness, so individual tomatoes may range from deep reddish-brown to dark mahogany rather than displaying one uniform colour.
This unusual pigmentation is one of the features that distinguishes Black Russian from conventional bright-red tomato varieties.
What Do Black Russian Tomatoes Taste Like?
Black Russian is particularly valued for its rich, complex flavour.
Ripe fruit combines sweetness and tomato acidity with deeper savoury, earthy and subtly smoky characteristics. This more complex flavour profile is one reason dark-coloured heirloom tomatoes such as Black Russian are popular as slicing tomatoes.
The flesh is juicy and meaty, making the fruit particularly enjoyable when eaten fresh while also providing enough substance for sauces and cooked dishes.
For the best flavour, allow fruit to develop its mature dark colour before harvesting rather than picking it while still immature.
Is Black Russian Tomato Determinate or Indeterminate?
Black Russian is generally grown as an indeterminate tomato.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue extending their stems and producing new flowering trusses while growing conditions remain favourable. This differs from determinate bush tomatoes, which reach a more defined size and tend to mature much of their crop over a shorter period.
Black Russian therefore benefits from sturdy stakes, a tomato cage or trellis. Tie developing stems loosely to their support as required and maintain good airflow through the plant.
Its extended growth habit means plants can continue producing tomatoes over a relatively long harvest period where temperatures remain suitable.
Harvesting Black Russian Tomatoes
Black Russian tomatoes generally mature in approximately 75–100 days, although timing varies considerably with climate, sowing time and whether maturity is measured from sowing or transplanting.
Determining ripeness by colour can initially be more difficult than with a conventional red tomato.
Look for mature colour: Fruit should develop its characteristic deep reddish-brown, mahogany or purple-red colour.
Check the texture: Ripe fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure rather than remaining completely hard.
Check the shoulders: Darker colouring can remain around the top of the fruit even when the tomato is ready to harvest.
Harvest carefully: Pick ripe tomatoes regularly and handle them carefully to avoid bruising or splitting.
For fresh eating, allow the fruit to develop its full mature colour and flavour before harvesting.
How to Use Black Russian Tomatoes
Black Russian is particularly suited to dishes where the tomato’s distinctive colour and rich flavour can be appreciated.
- Fresh eating: Enjoy fully ripe fruit sliced and lightly seasoned.
- Salads: Dark mahogany fruit provides excellent colour contrast alongside red, yellow and green tomatoes.
- Sandwiches: Juicy, meaty fruit makes Black Russian an excellent slicing tomato.
- Bruschetta: Dice ripe fruit for fresh tomato toppings and appetisers.
- Sauces: Richly flavoured ripe tomatoes can be cooked into pasta and tomato sauces.
- Cooking: Use in soups, casseroles, roasted dishes and other recipes requiring ripe tomatoes.
- Preserving: Surplus ripe fruit can be incorporated into sauces, preserves and other cooked tomato products.
Growing Black Russian Tomato in Pots
Black Russian can be grown in a large container, but its indeterminate growth habit means it requires considerably more space and support than a compact bush tomato.
Choose a large, stable container with excellent drainage and fill it with a fertile, good-quality growing medium. Install a sturdy stake, cage or trellis when planting so the support can accommodate the developing vine.
Position the container in full sun. Container-grown tomatoes can dry out rapidly during warm weather, so monitor soil moisture carefully and aim to keep moisture reasonably consistent.
Avoid very small pots. A generous root volume helps reduce rapid fluctuations in moisture and provides the plant with sufficient resources to support its extended growth and fruit production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Russian Tomato?
Black Russian is an heirloom, open-pollinated tomato variety producing distinctive dark reddish-brown to mahogany fruit with juicy, meaty flesh and a rich, complex flavour.
Are Black Russian tomatoes actually black?
No. Despite the name, the ripe fruit is generally dark reddish-brown, mahogany or purple-red rather than truly black. Darker colouring is often particularly noticeable around the shoulders.
What do Black Russian tomatoes taste like?
Black Russian tomatoes are known for a rich, complex flavour combining sweetness with savoury, earthy and subtly smoky notes.
Is Black Russian an heirloom tomato?
Yes. Black Russian is widely recognised as an heirloom tomato variety.
Is Black Russian open-pollinated?
Yes. Black Russian is an open-pollinated variety rather than an F1 hybrid.
Is Black Russian Tomato determinate or indeterminate?
Black Russian is generally grown as an indeterminate tomato. Plants continue extending and producing flowering trusses while growing conditions remain favourable and require staking or trellising.
How large are Black Russian tomatoes?
Black Russian generally produces medium to large tomatoes. Fruit size varies significantly according to seed line, climate, plant nutrition, water availability and other growing conditions.
Does Black Russian Tomato need staking?
Yes. Black Russian has a climbing growth habit and should be provided with sturdy stakes, a tomato cage or trellis to support the plant and developing fruit.
How deep should I sow Black Russian Tomato seeds?
Sow seeds approximately 5–6 mm deep into quality seed-raising mix and maintain warm, consistently moist conditions during germination.
How long do Black Russian Tomato seeds take to germinate?
Germination generally occurs within approximately 7–14 days under suitable warm conditions.
When should I plant Black Russian Tomato seeds in Australia?
In temperate and frost-prone areas, start seeds in preparation for spring and transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed. Tropical and subtropical growers generally achieve better results by avoiding the most difficult periods of extreme heat, heavy rainfall and high humidity.
How long does Black Russian Tomato take to harvest?
Black Russian generally reaches maturity in approximately 75–100 days, although published maturity figures vary according to seed source and whether days are measured from sowing or transplanting.
How do I know when a Black Russian tomato is ripe?
Look for the characteristic deep reddish-brown to mahogany mature colour and gently check the fruit. A ripe tomato should yield slightly to gentle pressure rather than remaining completely hard.
Why are my Black Russian tomatoes splitting?
Tomato fruit can split when water availability changes rapidly, particularly when dry plants receive heavy rain or substantial watering. Maintaining more consistent soil moisture can help reduce the risk.
Can Black Russian Tomato be grown in pots?
Yes, but use a large container and provide sturdy support. Its indeterminate growth habit requires more root space and vertical support than compact determinate tomato varieties.
Can Black Russian tomatoes be used for sauce?
Yes. Their rich flavour and juicy, meaty flesh make them suitable for sauces and other cooked dishes, although Black Russian is particularly prized as a fresh slicing tomato.
Can I save seed from Black Russian tomatoes?
Yes. Black Russian is open-pollinated, so seed can be saved from healthy, true-to-type fruit. If maintaining varietal purity is important, minimise unintended cross-pollination with other tomato varieties when producing seed for future generations.
Is Black Russian the same as Black Krim?
No. Black Russian and Black Krim are separate dark-coloured heirloom tomato varieties. Although both can produce dark red to purple-brown fruit, they should not be treated as interchangeable cultivar names.
Where can I buy Black Russian Tomato seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies Black Russian Tomato vegetable seeds for Australian gardeners and growers. This distinctive heirloom variety produces richly flavoured dark-coloured tomatoes for fresh eating, slicing, salads and cooking.
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