Crops › Heat Tolerant Tomato
How to grow Heat Tolerant Tomato
in the US
Sow February to March, plant out April, harvest May to June. About 72 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Growing your own tomatoes, especially when the sun's really beating down, is one of the most satisfying things, you know what I mean? These heat-tolerant varieties are proper tough, bred to keep setting fruit even when other types might give up. They're a cracking choice for folks with long, hot summers, meaning you can still get a lovely crop of your own home-grown goodness from your backyard.
Sowing
Tomatoes are in the Solanaceae family, and while they're not too tricky, they're a medium difficulty, mind. You'll want to start these indoors, as plug plants aren't commonly sold for these specific varieties. If you're in a warmer spot, say USDA Zone 8 or 9, you can get cracking in January or February. Zone 6 and 7 folks might start in February or March, while Zone 5 will be looking at March or April. Sow seeds about a quarter-inch deep in good seed-starting mix, keep 'em warm around 70-75°F (21-24°C), and give them plenty of light. You're looking at about 72 days from sowing to harvest, so an early start is key.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have their first proper leaves, it's time to prick 'em out and pot 'em up into bigger pots. Let 'em grow on a bit, then when the risk of your last frost has well and truly passed, you'll need to harden them off slowly, getting 'em used to the outdoors. Plant them out about 2 to 3 feet apart in rich soil, giving 'em a good stake or cage for support right from the off. They can do well in large containers too, if you're short on space.
Looking after it
These plants love a steady drink, so maintain consistent irrigation, especially when the weather's hot. Give 'em a good mulch around the base to help keep those roots cool and conserve moisture, that's proper important in the heat. Like the app says, a light boost of potassium when they start setting fruit can really help 'em perform better in high temperatures. Keep an eye on side shoots and pinch 'em out if you're growing indeterminate types.
What goes wrong
To be honest, tomatoes can get a few visitors, like hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and cutworms. Hornworms you can usually spot and pick off by hand, proper satisfying, that is. A strong spray of water can shift aphids, and for whiteflies, sticky traps can help. Cutworms can be a nuisance for young plants; a little collar made from cardboard around the stem works a treat. Just keep an eye on your plants regularly, it's the best way to catch things early.
Harvest
You'll start harvesting from April through July, about 72 days after sowing. Pick your tomatoes when they're fully colored and firm to the touch. Don't pull 'em hard, just give 'em a gentle twist off the vine. For storing, keep your harvested fruit in a shaded, well-ventilated spot, not the refrigerator. That's a trick to keep the flavor proper good, only chill 'em once they're fully ripe if you need to.
To be honest, the best bit of advice for these heat-tolerant types is to give 'em a bit of afternoon shade cloth or a good thick mulch. It really keeps the roots cool and stops the fruit from scorching, especially when the sun's proper fierce.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Phoenix Phoenix is a cracking heat-set variety, great for folks who get proper hot summers. You'll get firm, red slicers even when the temperatures soar. | No club votes yet |
| Solar Fire Solar Fire is a tough one, built to perform in hot, humid conditions and resist cracking. Ideal if your weather is a bit sticky and prone to splitting fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Heat Master As the name suggests, Heat Master is a hybrid bred specifically for setting fruit even when it's proper hot. A reliable choice for dependable harvests under heat stress. | No club votes yet |
| Florida 91 Florida 91 is a real workhorse, well-suited to hot climates and comes with good disease resistance. It's a solid bet for a steady crop without too much fuss. | No club votes yet |
| Arkansas Traveler Arkansas Traveler is a lovely heirloom variety, proper tolerant of both heat and humidity. If you fancy a taste of gardening history that still performs, this is for you. | No club votes yet |
| BHN 640 BHN 640 is a cracking hybrid that gives you firm, uniform fruits on plants with good disease resistance. Great if you're after consistent, good-looking tomatoes. | No club votes yet |
| Homestead Homestead is an old Southern standard, a dependable choice that'll give you a good crop even in the heat. A proper reliable variety that's stood the test of time. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Heat Tolerant Tomato seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | January to April | April to July |
| Zone 4 | January to April | April to July |
| Zone 5 | March to April | June to July |
| Zone 6 | February to March | May to June |
| Zone 7 | February to March | May to June |
| Zone 8 | January to February | April to May |
| Zone 9 | January to February | April to May |
| Zone 10 | January to April | April to July |
Cook the harvest
A no-fuss sheet pan dinner where halved heat-tolerant tomatoes and Italian sausages roast together with onion, bell peppers, and fresh herbs until caramelized and charred at the edges. The tomatoes collapse into a natural sauce that coats everything. On the table in 40 minutes with almost no cleanup.
40 min · easyA simple, summery skewer that requires only four ingredients and delivers extraordinary results. Heat-tolerant tomatoes hold up on the grill without falling apart — their firm flesh chars beautifully while the halloumi caramelizes alongside them. A great backyard cookout dish that's ready in 20 minutes.
23 min · easyA vivid summer succotash made with heat-tolerant tomatoes, sweet corn cut fresh from the cob, and butter beans. A Southern American staple that's enormously satisfying as a side dish or a light vegetarian main. Ready in 20 minutes, it tastes like everything good about a hot August day.
25 min · easyEggs poached directly in a spiced, slow-simmered sauce of heat-tolerant tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onion, and cumin. The heat-tolerant variety gives the sauce a denser, meatier base than regular tomatoes, which means it stays thick and clingy rather than watery. Finished with crumbled feta and fresh herbs, this is a bold, satisfying meal from one skillet.
35 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Basil, Marigolds, Carrots, Onions
Questions people ask
When do you sow Heat Tolerant Tomato in the US?
Sow Heat Tolerant Tomato from February to March in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out April, after the last frost.
How long does Heat Tolerant Tomato take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 72 days, with the harvest May to June.
Which Heat Tolerant Tomato varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Phoenix, Solar Fire, Heat Master, Florida 91 and more.
Track your Heat Tolerant Tomato from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.