Tomato San Marzano Seeds
Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum
San Marzano is a classic Italian heirloom paste tomato prized for its rich flavour, firm flesh and low seed content. This productive variety is ideal for sauces, passata, cooking and preserving.
PACKET: APPROX. 100 SEED COUNT
Key Attributes
Classic Italian HeirloomTraditional open-pollinated paste tomato valued for sauces and preserving. |
Rich Tomato FlavourProduces sweet, full-flavoured fruit with excellent cooking quality. |
Paste Tomato TypeFirm, meaty fruit with fewer seeds and less juice than slicing tomatoes. |
Excellent for SauceIdeal for pasta sauce, passata, soups, cooking and bottling. |
Productive PlantsIndeterminate plants produce steady harvests through the warm season. |
Great for PreservingA favourite choice for homemade tomato preserves and pantry staples. |
Product Description
Tomato San Marzano is one of the world’s most famous paste tomato varieties, highly valued for its rich flavour, dense flesh and excellent cooking qualities. Originally associated with Italian cuisine, San Marzano tomatoes are especially popular for sauces, passata, soups, casseroles and preserving.
The plants produce elongated, plum-shaped red fruits with firm flesh, low moisture content and fewer seeds than many fresh-eating tomatoes. This makes them easier to cook down into thick, flavourful sauces without becoming watery.
San Marzano is an indeterminate tomato, meaning plants continue growing and producing over an extended season when supported, watered and harvested regularly. It is a reliable choice for home gardeners, backyard food growers and anyone wanting a classic sauce tomato for fresh cooking and preserving.
Why Grow San Marzano?
- Classic Italian heirloom paste tomato.
- Rich, sweet flavour ideal for cooking.
- Firm, meaty fruit with fewer seeds.
- Excellent for sauces, passata and preserving.
- Productive indeterminate plants with extended harvests.
- Open-pollinated variety suitable for seed saving.
Plant Details
| Plant Type | Warm-season annual vegetable |
| Growth Habit | Indeterminate / Climbing Tomato |
| Plant Height | 1.5–2 metres with support |
| Fruit Type | Elongated red plum paste tomato |
| Days to Harvest | 75–85 days from transplant |
Sowing Information
| Sowing Method | Raise seedlings and transplant |
| Sowing Depth | 5 mm |
| Germination | 7–14 days |
| Soil Temperature | 20–28°C |
| Plant Spacing | 60–90 cm |
| Row Spacing | 90–120 cm |
| Position | Full Sun |
When to Sow San Marzano Tomatoes in Australia
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Growing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | September – December | Start seedlings indoors and transplant after frost danger has passed. |
| Temperate | August – January | Plant in warm soil and provide strong support. |
| Subtropical | July – March | Grow during periods of lower humidity where possible. |
| Tropical | April – August | Best grown during the dry season with good airflow. |
| Arid | August – February | Provide regular irrigation and mulch heavily. |
How to Grow San Marzano Tomatoes
Sow seeds into trays or small pots filled with quality seed-raising mix. Keep warm and evenly moist until germination. Once seedlings have developed several true leaves and outdoor conditions are warm, transplant into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
San Marzano tomatoes require staking, caging or trellising to support their vigorous indeterminate growth. Install supports early to prevent damage and improve airflow around plants.
Water consistently throughout the growing season, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Apply mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed competition. Feed regularly with a balanced vegetable fertiliser to encourage strong growth and heavy fruit production.
Remove lower leaves as plants mature to improve airflow and reduce the risk of common tomato diseases.
Harvest
Harvest fruits when fully red, firm and richly coloured. For the best flavour and sauce quality, allow tomatoes to ripen completely on the vine before picking. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season.
Perfect For
- Home vegetable gardens
- Raised beds and backyard food gardens
- Large pots and containers
- Homemade pasta sauce and passata
- Soups, casseroles and slow-cooked dishes
- Bottling, preserving and freezing
- Open-pollinated seed saving
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tomato is San Marzano?
San Marzano is a traditional Italian heirloom paste tomato known for its elongated fruits, firm flesh and exceptional sauce-making qualities.
Are San Marzano tomatoes good for sauce?
Yes. Their dense flesh, rich flavour and low moisture content make them one of the best tomatoes for sauces, passata and preserving.
Do San Marzano tomatoes need staking?
Yes. San Marzano is an indeterminate variety and should be supported with stakes, cages or a trellis.
Can San Marzano tomatoes be grown in containers?
Yes. Use a large container, quality potting mix and strong support for best results.
Can I save seed from San Marzano tomatoes?
Yes. San Marzano is an open-pollinated heirloom variety suitable for seed saving.
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