Martino's Roma
Single source · Reviewed Sep 9, 2026
Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.
Heirloom plum from USA. An Italian Roma selection with the flavour the standard type lacks. Ready in about 75 days from transplant.
- Heirloom
- 75 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Determinate
- Cocktail-size fruit
- Moderate (estimated)
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Plum 2–3 oz (50–90 g) · Oval (estimated)
- Leaf type
- Regular leaf
- Plant height
- 3–4 ft (90–120 cm) (estimated) Medium height
- Spacing
- 18 × 35 in (45 × 90 cm) (estimated)
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Position
- Handles open positions
- Growing sites
- Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Open ground · Container
- Container growing
- Balcony friendly min. 6 gal (25 L) pot (estimated)
- Skin
-
- Red
- Interior
-
- Red
Plant size and habit
Medium height · Determinate
3–4 ft (90–120 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf
Martino's Roma is a determinate plant that stops growing at a set height and ripens most of its crop in one concentrated window; a cage is usually enough support. Expect a plant of 3–4 ft (90–120 cm).
Flavor
“An Italian Roma selection with the flavour the standard type lacks.”
Growing calendar
- 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
- Sauce & paste
- Canning
- Drying
- Roasting
- Sauce workhorse
- Heirloom classic
- High yield
- Low maintenance
Origin
Martino's Roma is a family heirloom from the Finger Lakes region of New York, grown for decades by an Italian gardener who had the seed from a friend who brought it from Italy; Maureen Conway listed it in the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook around 1991. It is a Roma type with denser, drier flesh and markedly more flavour than the standard, on a compact determinate plant with regular foliage. Ripe fruit drop from the vine, so it is picked a little early.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
| Shop | Offer | Price | Packet | Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato Growers Supply Company | Seeds | $3.95Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Pack (30 seeds) | Check availability | Buy |
- BuyTomato Growers Supply CompanySeeds
Pack (30 seeds)
Check availability
$3.95Checked Sep 16, 2026
Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices checked Sep 16, 2026; not live.
All photos
-
Martino's Roma tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover -
A truss of Martino's Roma tomatoes -
Martino's Roma tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine -
A ripe Martino's Roma tomato held in a gardener's hand -
Freshly picked Martino's Roma tomatoes -
Martino's Roma tomato sliced in the kitchen
Questions
How long does Martino's Roma take to mature?
Martino's Roma is ready in about 75 days from transplant.
Does Martino's Roma need staking?
Martino's Roma is a determinate plant that stops growing at a set height and ripens most of its crop in one concentrated window; a cage is usually enough support. Expect a plant of 3–4 ft (90–120 cm).
Can Martino's Roma be grown in a container?
Yes — Martino's Roma grows well in a container of at least 25 L (6 gal).
Is Martino's Roma resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for Martino's Roma.
See also
Other plum varieties people put next to this one.
Grows like this one
Determinate, midseason, full sun. Same support, same calendar.
