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Few sights rival a Black From Tula tomato ripening on the vine — its deep, dusky shoulders promising a flavor profile that grocery-store reds simply cannot match. The challenge lies not in finding this heirloom’s seed, but in selecting the start that will actually thrive in your specific growing conditions.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years analyzing germination data, root-development claims, and regional grower feedback across dozens of tomato varieties to identify which Black From Tula options deliver the most reliable home-garden results.
This guide compares live plants, seed counts, and supplier reputations so you can confidently choose the best black from tula tomato plant for your soil, climate, and timeline.
How To Choose The Best Black From Tula Tomato Plant
Black From Tula is a Russian heirloom known for its complex, smoky-sweet taste and mahogany-colored skin. Choosing the right plant or seed packet depends on your growing zone, available sunlight, and how quickly you want fruit on the table.
Live Plants vs Seeds: Which Start Gives You the Edge?
Live plants cut weeks off the growing timeline. A 4-inch to 8-inch plant with robust root development can be transplanted directly into the garden after the last frost, yielding fruit in about 70-80 days. Seeds require 6-8 weeks of indoor care before hardening off, but offer a wider selection of specific strains and are more economical for large plantings.
Indeterminate Growth and Support Requirements
Black From Tula is an indeterminate variety — it continues to grow and fruit until the first frost kills the vine. This means you need a sturdy cage, trellis, or stake system from the start. Plan for a mature plant height of 5-8 feet and space 24-36 inches between plants to allow airflow that reduces blight risk.
Hardiness Zone and Sunlight Needs
This variety tolerates cooler summers better than many heirlooms, but it still demands full sun — at least 6-8 hours of direct light per day. Most suppliers recommend treating it as a tender annual in USDA zones 9 and colder, though its Siberian origins give it a slight edge in northern gardens over other black varieties like Black Krim.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovers Garden Black Prince | Live Plant | Immediate garden transplant | 2 live plants, 4-8 in tall | Amazon |
| Clovers Garden Sweet 100 | Live Plant | High-yield cherry tomatoes | 2 live plants, 4-8 in tall | Amazon |
| Clovers Garden Tomatillo | Live Plant | Salsa verde companion | 2 live plants, 4-8 in tall | Amazon |
| Marde Ross Black Brandywine | Seeds | Large beefsteak production | 75 seeds, USDA zone 3+ | Amazon |
| Marde Ross Pink Ponderosa | Seeds | 1-2 lb pink beefsteak fruit | 1 count seed packet, heirloom | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Clovers Garden Black Prince Tomato Plants – Two Live Plants
Clovers Garden delivers two large, live Black Prince plants — a variety bred from similar Siberian stock as Black From Tula — at 4 to 8 inches tall in 4-inch pots. The 10x Root Development claim holds up in practice: the root balls remain intact during transplanting, reducing the shock that kills seedlings started from packets.
This indeterminate heirloom produces dark-red to deep brown, slightly pear-shaped fruits with a flavor profile ideal for salads and canning. It’s suited to cooler climates and produces earlier than many black varieties, continuing heavy yields through summer. The packaging uses a recyclable box with minimal soil disturbance.
The included Quick Start Planting Guide offers zone-specific advice, and the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee reduces risk for first-time heirloom growers. Staking or caging is recommended from day one due to the indeterminate growth habit.
What works
- Robust root balls survive transplant better than seedlings
- Early-producing for an indeterminate black heirloom
- Eco-friendly packaging protects plants in transit
What doesn’t
- Limited to 2 plants per order — may need multiple for large gardens
- Requires sturdy staking or caging immediately
2. Clovers Garden Sweet 100 Tomato Plants – Two Live Plants
While not a black variety itself, Sweet 100 offers the same indeterminate vigor and is a reliable companion for any dark-fruited heirloom garden. Clovers Garden sends two large live plants at 4 to 8 inches tall in 4-inch pots, with 10x Root Development that lets these cherry tomatoes outpace many competitors.
This plant earns its “Sweet 100” name — it produces hundreds of cherry tomatoes with a sugary-sweet flavor that ripens over a long season. Reaching up to 10 feet tall, it benefits heavily from trellising but delivers a steady supply from midsummer until frost.
The eco-friendly recyclable box and Quick Start Guide are consistent with Clovers Garden’s premium approach. Treat as a tender annual in Zone 9 or colder; full sun and regular moisture keep the vines productive.
What works
- Prodigious yield — hundreds of cherry tomatoes per plant
- Strong root system handles transplant without stalling
- Long harvest window through fall frost
What doesn’t
- Not a black/dark variety — does not match Black From Tula flavor
- Vines grow very tall and require substantial support
3. Clovers Garden Tomatillo Plants – Two Live Plants
Tomatillos are not the same species as black tomatoes, but they make an ideal planting companion for a salsa-focused garden. Clovers Garden delivers two live tomatillo plants at 4 to 8 inches tall in 4-inch pots, with the same 10x Root Development that ensures strong transplant success.
These plants produce hundreds of small green fruits encased in papery husks, with a tart, citrusy flavor essential for chili verde sauce. The key requirement is cross-pollination — the two plants provided in this order are exactly enough for fruit formation, so never try to grow a single tomatillo alone.
Grow them like indeterminate tomatoes: full sun, consistent moisture, and a cage or trellis. The recyclable packaging and Quick Start Guide reduce guesswork. They treat as tender annuals in Zone 9 and colder, but adapt well to any US zone with proper care.
What works
- Two plants included — necessary for cross-pollination
- Healthy, well-packaged plants arrive with minimal soil disturbance
- High yield potential for homemade salsa verde
What doesn’t
- Not a tomato — different flavor profile entirely
- Wind can snap stems without staking support
4. Marde Ross & Company Black Brandywine Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Marde Ross & Company, a licensed California nursery since 1985, offers approximately 75 Black Brandywine seeds per packet. Black Brandywine shares the large-fruited, smoky-sweet character of Black From Tula, making it an excellent alternative for growers who prefer seed-starting flexibility over live plants.
The seeds are non-GMO and free of neonicotinoid treatments. The instructions recommend planting 1/4 inch deep indoors or 1/2 inch deep outdoors when soil warms. Keep the medium moist during germination — typically 7-14 days — then maintain consistent moisture without overwatering once the seedlings emerge.
Organic material features and pet-friendly labeling add appeal for natural gardeners. The USDA hardiness zone rating of 3 means it performs well even in cold northern climates. The downside: seeds require 6-8 weeks of indoor care before they are ready to harden off and transplant.
What works
- High seed count (approx 75) per packet for the seed tier
- Long-established nursery with consistent quality
- Cold-hardy down to zone 3
What doesn’t
- Requires indoor seed-starting setup and timing
- Mature plant size indeterminate — needs staking
5. Marde Ross & Company Pink Ponderosa Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Introduced in 1891, Pink Ponderosa produces smooth 1-2 lb pink beefsteak tomatoes with very few seeds and an excellent flavor. Marde Ross & Company packages a single seed count per order, which is lean compared to the multi-seed packets elsewhere, but the genetic provenance is well-documented — originating from Luxembourg stock around 1870.
Customer reviews confirm fast germination (5 days in one case) and strong seedling growth under grow lights. Some growers report slower maturation compared to standard red hybrids, but every seed germinated in one tester’s batch. The variety attracts pollinators, which benefits surrounding crops in the garden.
The material features include GMO-free and heirloom labeling. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep indoors, keep moist, and transplant after the last frost. The lower price tier makes this a budget-friendly entry into large beefsteak heirlooms, though you will need to supplement with additional seed packets for a substantial planting.
What works
- Well-documented heirloom history and stable genetics
- Large fruit size (1-2 lb) with minimal seeds
- Attracts pollinators to the garden
What doesn’t
- Single seed count is very low for the packet tier
- Slow to mature compared to other heirloom types
Hardware & Specs Guide
10x Root Development for Live Plants
Clovers Garden uses a proprietary growing method that produces a denser, more fibrous root ball in their 4-inch pots. This reduces transplant shock and accelerates establishment compared to bare-root or smaller container starts. For gardeners planting Black From Tula or similar indeterminate heirlooms, a strong root system directly translates to earlier flowering and heavier fruit sets.
Seed Count and Germination Rates
Seed packets vary dramatically in count — Marde Ross provides around 75 seeds for Black Brandywine, while other varieties ship a single seed packet. Look for germination rates above 85% and test a few seeds on a damp paper towel before committing to outdoor planting. Heirloom tomato seeds are generally vigorous but can carry lower germination rates than hybrid F1 seeds.
FAQ
Can I grow Black From Tula in a container?
How long does it take for Black From Tula to bear fruit from live plants?
Do I need to stake Black From Tula tomatoes?
What is the difference between Black From Tula and Black Krim?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best black from tula tomato plant winner is the Clovers Garden Black Prince because its 10x Root Development and two live plants give you an immediate head start over seed-starting. If you want a high-yield cherry companion for your black heirloom patch, grab the Clovers Garden Sweet 100. And for a budget-friendly seed-starting project with classic heirloom flavor, nothing beats the Marde Ross Black Brandywine.