- Heirloom
- Slicer
- 75 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Semi-determinate
- Red
Marmande
Heirloom slicer from France. The French ribbed slicer: continental Europe's answer to the American beefsteak. Ready in about 75 days from transplant.
Single source · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Slicer 5–8 oz (140–230 g) · Ribbed (estimated)
Flattened and clearly ribbed at the shoulders.
- Leaf type
- Regular leaf
- Days to harvest
- 75 days (estimated) from transplant · Midseason
- Plant height
- 4–5 ft (120–150 cm) (estimated) Medium height
- Spacing
- 22 × 35 in (55 × 90 cm) (estimated)
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Position
- Handles open positions
- Growing sites
- Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Open ground · Container
- Container growing
- Balcony friendly min. 7 gal (30 L) pot (estimated)
- Difficulty
- Moderate (estimated) 3/5
- Skin
-
- Red
- Interior
-
- Red
Plant size and habit
Medium height · Semi-determinate
4–5 ft (120–150 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf
Marmande is a semi-determinate plant: it keeps growing a little past that point and spreads its harvest over a longer window without climbing indefinitely; a stake or cage is usually enough support. Expect a plant of 4–5 ft (120–150 cm).
Flavor
“The French ribbed slicer: continental Europe's answer to the American beefsteak.”
Growing calendar
75 (estimated) days from transplant Midseason
Timing shown for temperate climates; sow indoors 6–8 (estimated) weeks before your last frost date. Look up your last frost date by ZIP code →
Disease resistance
No documented disease resistances — protect this variety with good airflow and crop rotation.
Uses & tags
- Fresh & salads
- Slicing
- Sauce & paste
- Heirloom classic
- Market favorite
- Cold climate
Origin
Marmande comes from the town of the same name in south-west France and is the reference ribbed slicer across continental Europe, where it fills the role Beefsteak plays in North America. The plant stops earlier than a full indeterminate, which is part of why it performs in shorter and cooler seasons.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
Prices rechecked dailyAll photos
Questions
How do you grow a Marmande plant?
A Marmande plant grows 4–5 ft (120–150 cm) tall (estimated). Space plants 22 in (55 cm) apart in rows 35 in (90 cm) apart (estimated). Start seed indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (estimated); it germinates in 7–14 days (estimated). It needs full sun.
How long does Marmande take to mature?
Marmande is ready in about 75 days from transplant.
Does Marmande need staking?
Marmande is a semi-determinate plant: it keeps growing a little past that point and spreads its harvest over a longer window without climbing indefinitely; a stake or cage is usually enough support. Expect a plant of 4–5 ft (120–150 cm).
Can Marmande be grown in a container?
Yes — Marmande grows well in a container of at least 30 L (7 gal).
Is Marmande resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for Marmande.
