Black Prince Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Prince’)

Black Prince Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Prince’) is a popular heirloom tomato variety cherished for its unique deep mahogany-red fruits, rich sweet flavour, and exceptional productivity. Originally developed in Siberia, this indeterminate variety is well suited to cooler growing climates, making it an excellent choice for Canadian gardens. The medium-sized slicing tomatoes develop dark red to chocolate-brown skin with deep crimson flesh, offering a complex, slightly smoky flavour balanced by natural sweetness.

The fruits typically mature to 140–225 g (5–8 oz) and are ideal for fresh slicing, sandwiches, salads, gourmet dishes, roasting, and homemade sauces. Their rich colour adds visual interest to vegetable gardens and fresh summer meals, while the outstanding flavour has made Black Prince a favourite among heirloom tomato enthusiasts.

As an indeterminate variety, Black Prince continues producing flowers and fruit from midsummer until the first autumn frost. The vigorous vines benefit from sturdy cages, stakes, or trellises to support heavy crops and improve airflow. Its early maturity compared to many other heirloom tomatoes also makes it especially suitable for shorter Prairie growing seasons.

In Alberta, Black Prince Tomato performs exceptionally well in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and consistent watering, producing abundant harvests in gardens, raised beds, greenhouses, and large containers.