Cherokee Purple Tomatoes are classified as black tomatoes. They are dusky pink-purple with dark shoulders. The flesh of Cherokee Purple Tomatoes is a deep red color mixed in with purple hues, which is very attractive sliced on a plate. Cherokee Purple Tomatoes consistently rank very high in taste tests. They combine sweetness and juiciness with a strong tomato tang. Cherokee Purple Tomatoes originated in Tennessee and is thought to have come from Cherokee gardeners. Beefsteak in style with green shoulders, they boast a dense, juicy texture with just the right amount of sweetness. Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum Life Cycle: Annual Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Warm Season Plant Type: Indeterminate Features: Heirloom Fruit Size: 8-16 oz Days to Maturity: 80 Days Plant Spacing: 18-36 inches Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2 inch Sowing Method: Start Indoors Cold Stratification: No Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10