San Marzano
Single source · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026
Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.
Heirloom plum from Italy. The classic Italian sauce tomato: thin skin, few seeds, low acidity. Ready in about 80 days from transplant.
- Heirloom
- 80 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Indeterminate
- Medium fruit
- Moderate (estimated)
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Plum 2–4 oz (70–110 g) · Elongated (estimated)
- Leaf type
- Regular leaf
- Plant height
- 5–7 ft (150–210 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
-
- Red
- Interior
-
- Red
Plant size and habit
Tall · Indeterminate
5–7 ft (150–210 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf
San Marzano 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 5–7 ft (150–210 cm).
Flavor
“The classic Italian sauce tomato: thin skin, few seeds, low acidity.”
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
- Market favorite
Origin
San Marzano comes from the volcanic soils south-east of Mount Vesuvius in Campania. Its reputation rests on thin skin, low seed count and a low-acid, deeply savoury flesh that breaks down cleanly into sauce. The DOP designation protects fruit grown in that specific area, so seed sold under the name elsewhere produces a San Marzano type rather than the protected product.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
| Shop | Offer | Price | Packet | Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical Interests | Seeds | $2.69Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Packet size not listed | Check availability | Buy |
| True Leaf Market | Seeds | $2.99Checked Sep 16, 2026 | 250 Mg Packet | Check availability | Buy |
| Tomato Growers Supply Company | Seeds | $3.15Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Pack (30 seeds) | Check availability | Buy |
| Eden Brothers | Seeds | $5.99Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Packet | Check availability | Buy |
- BuyBotanical InterestsSeeds
Packet size not listed
Check availability
$2.69Checked Sep 16, 2026 - BuyTrue Leaf MarketSeeds
250 Mg Packet
Check availability
$2.99Checked Sep 16, 2026 - BuyTomato Growers Supply CompanySeeds
Pack (30 seeds)
Check availability
$3.15Checked Sep 16, 2026 - BuyEden BrothersSeeds
Packet
Check availability
$5.99Checked Sep 16, 2026
Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices checked Sep 16, 2026; not live.
All photos
-
San Marzano tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover -
A truss of San Marzano tomatoes -
San Marzano tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine -
A ripe San Marzano tomato held in a gardener's hand -
Freshly picked San Marzano tomatoes -
San Marzano tomato sliced in the kitchen
Questions
How long does San Marzano take to mature?
San Marzano is ready in about 80 days from transplant.
Does San Marzano need staking?
San Marzano 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 5–7 ft (150–210 cm).
Can San Marzano be grown in a container?
San Marzano is better suited to open ground or a greenhouse bed than a container.
Is San Marzano resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for San Marzano.
See also
Other plum varieties people put next to this one.
Grows like this one
Indeterminate, mid-late, full sun. Same support, same calendar.
