Black Krim

Single source · Reviewed Sep 9, 2026

Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.

Heirloom beefsteak from Ukraine, 1990. Dark Crimean heirloom with a savoury, almost saline depth behind the sweetness. Ready in about 80 days from transplant.

  • Heirloom
  • 80 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
  • Indeterminate
  • Large fruit
  • Moderate (estimated)
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Black Krim tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover

At a glance

Fruit type
Beefsteak 8–12 oz (230–340 g) · Flattened globe (estimated)
Leaf type
Regular leaf
Plant height
5–6½ ft (150–200 cm) (estimated) Tall
Spacing
24 × 35 in (60 × 90 cm) (estimated)
Sunlight
Full sun
Position
Handles open positions
Growing sites
Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Open ground
Container growing
Not suited to pots
Skin
  • Black
Interior
  • Red
  • Green

Plant size and habit

Tall · Indeterminate

5–6½ ft (150–200 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf

Black Krim is an indeterminate plant that keeps growing and setting fruit until frost; it needs a stake, cage, or trellis for the whole season. Expect a plant of 5–6½ ft (150–200 cm).

Flavor

Sweetness 3/5 (estimated)
Acidity 3/5 (estimated)
Intensity 5/5 (estimated)
Flesh density 3/5 (estimated)

“Dark Crimean heirloom with a savoury, almost saline depth behind the sweetness.”

Growing calendar

80 (estimated) days from transplant Mid-late
J F M A M J J A S O N D
  • Sow indoors
  • Transplant out
  • Harvest

Timing shown for temperate climates; sow indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date.

Disease resistance

No documented disease resistances — protect this variety with good airflow and crop rotation.

Uses & tags

  • Slicing
  • Fresh & salads
  • Heirloom classic
  • High flavor
  • Hot climate

Origin

Black Krim takes its name from the Crimean peninsula and reached Western seed catalogues through the Seed Savers Exchange 1990 Yearbook, listed by Lars Olov Rosenström of Bromma, Sweden; the same year it became the first black tomato sold commercially in the United States. It carries the dark shoulder pigmentation common to the Black Sea group and a distinctly saline, savoury note that separates it from the sweeter dark heirlooms. Growers who have chased the authentic strain describe it as sweet with a smoky edge, and report that much commercial seed is a salty, tarter strain or an outright red-fruited cross, so expect variation between packets. It colours up best under heat and can look muddy in a cool season.

Ukraine, 1990

Sources

Where to buy seeds

  • Tomato Growers Supply CompanySeeds

    Pack (30 seeds)

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    $2.95Checked Sep 16, 2026
    Buy
  • True Leaf MarketSeeds

    125 Mg Packet

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    $2.99Checked Sep 16, 2026
    Buy
  • Botanical InterestsSeeds

    Packet size not listed

    Check availability

    $2.99Checked Sep 16, 2026
    Buy
  • Eden BrothersSeeds

    Packet

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    $4.49Checked Sep 16, 2026
    Buy
  • Baker Creek Heirloom SeedsSeeds

    Packet size not listed

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    Check price at shop
    Buy

Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices checked Sep 16, 2026; not live.

All photos

  • Black Krim tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover
    Black Krim tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover
  • A truss of Black Krim tomatoes
    A truss of Black Krim tomatoes
  • Black Krim tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine
    Black Krim tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine
  • A ripe Black Krim tomato held in a gardener's hand
    A ripe Black Krim tomato held in a gardener's hand
  • Freshly picked Black Krim tomatoes
    Freshly picked Black Krim tomatoes
  • Black Krim tomato sliced in the kitchen
    Black Krim tomato sliced in the kitchen

Questions

How long does Black Krim take to mature?

Black Krim is ready in about 80 days from transplant.

Does Black Krim need staking?

Black Krim is an indeterminate plant that keeps growing and setting fruit until frost; it needs a stake, cage, or trellis for the whole season. Expect a plant of 5–6½ ft (150–200 cm).

Can Black Krim be grown in a container?

Black Krim is better suited to open ground or a greenhouse bed than a container.

Is Black Krim resistant to disease?

No disease resistance is documented for Black Krim.

See also

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Brandywine tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover Brandywine The heirloom benchmark: huge pink potato-leaf beefsteak with dense, sweet flesh. BeefsteakMid-lateIndeterminate
Cherokee Purple tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover Cherokee Purple Dusky purple-red heirloom beefsteak, prized for its rich, smoky-sweet flavor. BeefsteakMid-lateIndeterminate
Mortgage Lifter tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover Mortgage Lifter Enormous mild pink beefsteak with one of the best origin stories in gardening. BeefsteakMid-lateIndeterminate

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