New Big Dwarf
Single source · Reviewed Sep 9, 2026
Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.
Heirloom beefsteak from USA, 1914. From 1915: the original attempt at beefsteak fruit on a plant that fits a pot. Ready in about 75 days from transplant.
- Heirloom
- 75 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Dwarf
- Large fruit
- Moderate (estimated)
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Beefsteak 8–12 oz (230–340 g) · Flattened globe (estimated)
- Leaf type
- Rugose leaf
- Plant height
- 1½–2½ ft (45–75 cm) (estimated) Compact
- Spacing
- 16 × 24 in (40 × 60 cm) (estimated)
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Position
- Handles open positions
- Growing sites
- Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Open ground · Container
- Container growing
- Balcony friendly min. 3 gal (15 L) pot (estimated)
- Skin
-
- Pink
- Interior
-
- Pink
Plant size and habit
Compact · Dwarf
1½–2½ ft (45–75 cm) (estimated) · Rugose leaf
New Big Dwarf is a dwarf plant — compact and sturdy on thick stems, still productive over a full season; it does not need staking. Expect a plant of 1½–2½ ft (45–75 cm).
Flavor
“From 1915: the original attempt at beefsteak fruit on a plant that fits a pot.”
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
- Fresh & salads
- Slicing
- Juicing
- Container star
- Heirloom classic
- High flavor
- Gift worthy
Origin
New Big Dwarf was introduced by Isbell's Seed Company in 1914 as "Ponderosa fruits on Dwarf Champion vines", the original attempt at putting beefsteak-sized fruit on a plant small enough for a pot. The whole modern Dwarf Tomato Project traces its ancestry to varieties like this one.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
| Shop | Offer | Price | Packet | Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato Growers Supply Company | Seeds | $3.45Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Pack (30 seeds) | Check availability | Buy |
- BuyTomato Growers Supply CompanySeeds
Pack (30 seeds)
Check availability
$3.45Checked Sep 16, 2026
Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices checked Sep 16, 2026; not live.
All photos
-
New Big Dwarf tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover -
A truss of New Big Dwarf tomatoes -
New Big Dwarf tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine -
A ripe New Big Dwarf tomato held in a gardener's hand -
Freshly picked New Big Dwarf tomatoes -
New Big Dwarf tomato sliced in the kitchen
Questions
How long does New Big Dwarf take to mature?
New Big Dwarf is ready in about 75 days from transplant.
Does New Big Dwarf need staking?
New Big Dwarf is a dwarf plant — compact and sturdy on thick stems, still productive over a full season; it does not need staking. Expect a plant of 1½–2½ ft (45–75 cm).
Can New Big Dwarf be grown in a container?
Yes — New Big Dwarf grows well in a container of at least 15 L (3 gal).
Is New Big Dwarf resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for New Big Dwarf.
See also
Other beefsteak varieties people put next to this one.
Grows like this one
Dwarf, midseason, full sun. Same support, same calendar.
