Striped German
Single source · Reviewed Sep 9, 2026
Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.
Heirloom beefsteak from USA. Heavily ribbed bicolour beefsteak that marbles differently in every fruit. Ready in about 85 days from transplant.
- Heirloom
- 85 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Indeterminate
- Large fruit
- Challenging (estimated)
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Beefsteak 12–20 oz (340–570 g) · Flattened globe (estimated)
- Leaf type
- Regular leaf
- Plant height
- 6–8 ft (180–240 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
-
- Bicolor
- Interior
-
- Yellow
- Red
Plant size and habit
Tall · Indeterminate
6–8 ft (180–240 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf
Striped German 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 6–8 ft (180–240 cm).
Flavor
“Heavily ribbed bicolour beefsteak that marbles differently in every fruit.”
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
- Heirloom classic
- Gift worthy
- High flavor
- Novelty color
Origin
Despite the name, Striped German's earliest documented listing traces it to a West Virginia seed catalog rather than Germany, per Tatiana's TOMATOBase, whose own entry marks that origin as uncertain. The flesh marbles yellow and red in a pattern that differs in every fruit; it is flattened, heavily ribbed and soft-shouldered, which makes it a poor traveller and a variety you will almost never see in a shop.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
All photos
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Striped German tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover -
A truss of Striped German tomatoes -
Striped German tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine -
A ripe Striped German tomato held in a gardener's hand -
Freshly picked Striped German tomatoes -
Striped German tomato sliced in the kitchen
Questions
How long does Striped German take to mature?
Striped German is ready in about 85 days from transplant.
Does Striped German need staking?
Striped German 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 6–8 ft (180–240 cm).
Can Striped German be grown in a container?
Striped German is better suited to open ground or a greenhouse bed than a container.
Is Striped German resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for Striped German.
See also
Other beefsteak varieties people put next to this one.
Grows like this one
Indeterminate, mid-late, full sun. Same support, same calendar.
