Many first-time tomato growers make the same mistake: choosing the wrong type!
Not all tomatoes are created equal. Some grow into a compact bush, some sprawl nonstop, and some can resist diseases.
And then, there’s the flavour. Some tomatoes are perfect for fresh salads, while others are great for gourmet recipes.
But with thousands of different tomatoes available, how do you decide which to plant?
Don’t worry, we’ve handpicked some of the best tomato varieties in Australia to make things a little easier!
Top Tomato Varieties | Best-Tasting Tomatoes | Determinate Tomatoes | Biggest Tomatoes | Disease-Resistant Tomatoes | Best for Cold Climates
Understanding the Different Types of Tomatoes
If you’re new to growing tomatoes, understanding the many types can feel overwhelming.
But once you know their differences, it’s much easier to choose the right variety for your garden.
Tomatoes are usually classified according to:
- Growth habit
- Origin
- Size and use
Determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes
All tomatoes are technically vines, but their exact growth habit differs!
Determinate tomatoes are also called “bush-type” since they’re more compact. They grow to a fixed size, produce one large harvest over 2–3 weeks, then die back.
On the other hand, indeterminate tomatoes keep sprawling and fruiting until they’re killed by disease or frost. Most tomato varieties fall into this group.
Here’s how the two types compare:
| DETERMINATE TOMATOES | INDETERMINATE TOMATOES |
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Heirloom vs. hybrid tomatoes
Tomatoes are also classified by their origin — they can be an heirloom or a hybrid.
Heirloom tomatoes are old-time favourites. They’ve been passed down for generations and cultivated for 50 years or more!
They often have a more complex and richer flavour (although some hybrids are also bred for better taste).
Moreover, they’re open-pollinated by birds, insects, or wind. That means you can save heirloom tomato seeds as they’ll grow true to type.
However, heirloom varieties are generally less resistant to disease and pests.
Hybrid tomatoes, on the other hand, are created by intentionally cross-pollinating two different varieties.
This is done to produce tomatoes with desirable traits, like stronger disease resistance, bigger yields, or uniform appearance.
Many of these are F1 hybrids — the first generation from two parent plants. They’re usually less prone to disease and bear fruit reliably.
Unlike heirlooms, seeds from hybrid tomatoes don’t produce plants with the same traits. To keep growing them, you’ll need to buy new seeds each season.
Tomato types by size and use
Tomatoes are also grouped by size and typical uses.
GRAPE TOMATOES: Small, oval, and firm; great for fresh eating or lunch boxes
CHERRY TOMATOES: Slightly larger, round, and sweet; ideal for salads and snacking
PLUM TOMATOES: Also called paste tomatoes; oval or pear-shaped; perfect for sauces and drying
SLICING TOMATOES: Medium to large, globe-shaped or slightly flattened; versatile for everyday dishes
BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES: Largest slicing type; meaty and juicy; perfect for sandwiches
A List of the Best Tomatoes to Grow In Australia
Whether you’re after rich flavour or compact varieties for pots, here are some of the best tomatoes to grow in Australia.
| BEST-TASTING TOMATOES | DETERMINATE TOMATOES | TOMATOES WITH LARGE FRUIT |
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| DISEASE-RESISTANT TOMATOES | TOMATOES FOR COLD CLIMATES | – |
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We’ll give you more info about these varieties below. But if you’re still unsure which to pick, reach out to a gardening expert!
They can help you choose the right tomato for your space and get you set up for planting.
Best-Tasting Tomatoes in Australia
Many heirloom varieties have a rich tomato flavour that shines both in home-cooked meals and specialty dishes.
Once you plant one, you can save and sow the tomato seeds for the next growing season!
Costoluto Genovese
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Beefsteak |
| Best for | Canning, sauces, and pastes |
| When to harvest | 75–80 days after planting |
If you’re after a classic Italian sauce flavour, give the Costoluto Genovese a go.
This heirloom beefsteak has been grown in Genoa, Italy, since the 19th century. It’s perfect for sauces and pastes — even Italian chefs love it!
Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are large, bright red, and slightly flattened with deep ribbing.
Each fruit is quite heavy (200g or more), so make sure to give your plant sturdy support.
Black Cherry
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Cherry |
| Best for | Salads, grilling, and roasting |
| When to harvest | 70–75 days after planting |
As the name suggests, the Black Cherry is not your typical red tomato.
This variety produces cherry-sized fruit (about 2–3cm across) with a sweet, smoky flavour. It’s also low in acid.
When it starts to ripen, you’ll see a deep brown colour that later turns burgundy or purplish-black.
You can eat Black Cherry tomatoes right off the vine, toss them in salads, or roast them with other veggies.
Grosse Lisse
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Slicing |
| Best for | Snacking, sandwiches, and sauces |
| When to harvest | 70–85 days after planting |
Say hello to one of Australia’s favourite tomatoes — the Grosse Lisse!
The name “Grosse Lisse” means “large and smooth” in French, which perfectly describes the fruit!
This variety is popular among Aussie gardeners because it offers a rich, classic tomato flavour that most of us are familiar with.
It’s an all-rounder that can be used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and soups.
TIP: For better plant health, look for Improved Grosse Lisse, which can resist common diseases like bacterial wilt.
San Marzano
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Plum |
| Best for | Pastes and sauces |
| When to harvest | 75–90 days after planting |
San Marzano is an iconic Italian tomato and a staple in authentic Neapolitan pizza!
In Italy, the commercial farming of San Marzano is limited to a small region near Naples. There, the volcanic soil gives it a unique flavour.
So if you grow San Marzano at home, the taste may be different from the Italian-grown ones.
Generally, though, it’s sweet and rich, with a high sugar content and low acidity.
The fruit is elongated, with bright red skin, dense flesh, and few seeds.
Tommy Toe
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Cherry |
| Best for | Salads, roasting, and sauces |
| When to harvest | 60–70 days after planting |
Tommy Toe is an American heirloom tomato that has been cultivated since the early 1900s.
Among cherry tomatoes, it’s on the bigger side, with fruits about 3–4cm across.
It has become a favourite in Australia because of the flavour — Tommy Toe has won many taste tests over the years!
It’s rich and juicy, with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. That makes it great for fresh salads, roasting, and sauces.
Determinate Tomato Varieties
Determinate or bush-type tomatoes are ideal for beginners.
They’re easier to care for since they need less pruning and staking. Plus, you can grow them in containers and smaller spaces.
Gold Nugget
| Type | Determinate Heirloom Cherry |
| Height | 1–1.5m |
| Support | Needs some support |
The Gold Nugget is a popular cherry tomato in Australia. It’s an early-season variety that starts to bear fruit just 55–65 days after planting.
The fruits start as golden yellow and turn orange as they ripen. They taste sweet and mildly tangy, perfect for snacking and salads.
The plant grows to a fixed size, so it’s usually considered a determinate type.
However, some classify it as semi-determinate. That’s because the Gold Nugget can sometimes keep producing fruit beyond the first batch, just like indeterminate tomatoes.
Mama’s Delight
| Type | Determinate Hybrid Slicing |
| Height | 1–1.5m |
| Support | Needs some support |
Mama’s Delight is a solid choice for home gardeners, as it’s very low-maintenance!
It grows 1–1.5m tall and needs little to no pruning. It’s also an F1 hybrid created to fight off Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt.
However, it’s a high-yielding plant, so it needs some support as it fruits!
The tomatoes are bright red and round. They’re about 6–8cm, perfect for slicing into salads and sandwiches.
Patio tomatoes
| Type | Determinate Hybrid Slicing |
| Height | 50cm |
| Support | Usually not needed |
Planning to grow tomatoes in pots? The Patio variety (also called “First Prize” or “Pot Prize”) is one of the best choices!
It only reaches about 50cm tall, but it fruits abundantly. The tomatoes are red, globe-shaped (5–7 cm wide), firm, and juicy.
You can toss them in salads, stew them into sauces, or turn them into preserves.
Since Patio tomatoes are tiny, they usually don’t need staking even as they fruit.
Tatura Dwarf
| Type | Determinate Heirloom Slicing |
| Height | 60–80cm |
| Support | Usually not needed |
The Tatura Dwarf is an Australian heirloom tomato developed in Tatura, VIC.
It reaches just 60–80cm tall but produces plenty of medium-sized (about 6cm), light red tomatoes.
This variety is prized for its mild flavour and meaty texture, and is commercially used for canning and making sauces.
Staking isn’t usually necessary, but keep an eye out for any branches that may droop with heavy fruit.
Tiny Tim
| Type | Determinate Heirloom Dwarf cherry |
| Height | 50cm tall |
| Support | Usually not needed |
Tiny Tim is a dwarf tomato that grows to just 50 cm tall, so it’s perfect for patios and small spaces.
But despite its compact size, it produces a big harvest. At its peak, it can look like there are more tomatoes than leaves!
Over a couple of weeks, the plant yields sweet, round cherry tomatoes about 3–4 cm across.
Tiny Tim can be planted in a 15 cm-wide pot, and staking is usually not needed.
Tomato Varieties with Large Fruit
If you’re looking for large tomato varieties in Australia, beefsteak tomatoes are the obvious choice. They’re perfect for slicing into sandwiches!
However, other types can also produce massive fruit.
Remember: give your tomato plants strong support to keep the heavy stems and fruit from breaking!
Amish Paste
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Plum |
| Fruit weight | 220–340g |
| When to harvest | 70–80 days after planting |
Amish Paste is a large plum (or paste) tomato loved for its sweet, mildly acidic flavour.
Each fruit weighs around 220–340g and has a meaty texture with less water, making it perfect for sauces.
The shape can vary, though. Some can be oval, but others are more pointed and strawberry-like.
An indeterminate variety, Amish Paste fruits reliably throughout the growing season.
Big Beef
| Type | Indeterminate Hybrid Beefsteak |
| Fruit weight | 250–350g |
| When to harvest | 70–80 days after planting |
Big Beef is an indeterminate tomato that lives up to its name. It produces hefty, meaty fruit that weighs 250–350g and measures 10–15cm wide!
The tomatoes are deep red and slightly flattened, and are perfectly balanced — not too sweet or too sour.
As an F1 hybrid, Big Beef tomatoes resist many diseases, including Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt.
In 1994, it was named the “best edible vegetable” in the All-America Selection Award because of its hardiness and excellent flavour.
Black Krim
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Beefsteak |
| Fruit weight | 200–450g |
| When to harvest | 70–80 days after planting |
Looking for something different from the typical red tomato? Black Krim — a Russian heirloom — is a great choice!
It produces massive tomatoes, each weighing 200–450g and going past 500g in ideal conditions.
The skin is reddish-brown with hints of green.
When sliced, you’ll see reddish-green flesh that looks fantastic in salads and sandwiches.
Brandywine
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Beefsteak |
| Fruit weight | 500g |
| When to harvest | 80–100 days after planting |
Brandywine is a large American heirloom, with fruits around 500g each!
It comes in red, yellow, and the more common pinkish-red. It’s well-loved for its rich flavour and juicy, dense flesh.
Another unique feature is its foliage — broad and smooth like a potato plant’s leaves, rather than the usual serrated tomato leaves.
Brandywine can be a bit fussy, though, so it’s not the easiest choice for first-time tomato gardeners.
It’s slower to mature, more prone to disease, and produces lower yields than many other varieties.
Mortgage Lifter
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Beefsteak |
| Fruit weight | 0.5–1kg |
| When to harvest | 75–85 days after planting |
You might be wondering how a tomato can end up with a name like “Mortgage Lifter.”
In the 1930s, a mechanic in West Virginia, USA, named M.C. Byles cross-bred four giant tomato varieties.
He sold seedlings of the new breed he created, which earned him enough to pay off his mortgage — hence the name!
Mortgage Lifters produce slightly flattened, pinkish-red fruits weighing 0.5–1kg each.
They’re prone to cracking, so be extra gentle when picking the tomatoes!
Disease-Resistant Tomato Varieties
Tomato plants can be prone to diseases and pests, which is why many modern hybrids are bred for extra hardiness.
TIP: When buying tomato seeds, check the packaging for codes that indicate resistance to common tomato problems:
- A — Alternaria stem canker
- F — Fusarium wilt
- LB — Late blight
- N — Nematodes
- T — Tobacco mosaic virus
- V — Verticillium wilt
You can also look for F1 hybrids, which are generally more vigorous and disease-resistant.
And if you want to make your garden more resilient overall, be sure to grow the right companion plants for tomatoes!
Crimson Crush F1
| Type | Indeterminate Hybrid Slicing |
| Resistant to | Early and late blight |
| When to harvest | After 55–60 days |
Crimson Crush is an F1 hybrid specifically created to have two genes that resist all known strains of early and late blight.
Even if the leaves show signs of blight, the plant can fight it off and continue to fruit.
And while Crimson Crush wasn’t bred for the flavour, it still offers a rich taste that works for salads and sandwiches.
The tomatoes are red, round, and range from medium to large, sometimes up to 200g each.
Improved Apollo
| Type | Indeterminate Hybrid Slicing |
| Resistant to | Bacterial wilt, root knot nematodes |
| When to harvest | After 60–80 days |
The Improved Apollo is a hardier version of the classic Apollo tomato, bred to resist bacterial wilt and root knot nematodes.
And it’s not just tough — it also does well in Australia’s cooler areas. It can set fruit even when temperatures drop to 10°C.
Improved Apollo also produces a big yield of round, red tomatoes about 5–6 cm across.
They have a mild flavour, are low in acid, and are firmer than the original Apollo.
Matt’s Cherry Tomato
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Cherry |
| Resistant to | Early and late blight |
| When to harvest | After 50–60 days |
Matt’s Cherry Tomato is an heirloom variety that came from Hidalgo, Mexico.
It’s hardier than most heirlooms because it’s closely related to wild tomato plants, which grow in tough conditions.
Thanks to its origin, Matt’s Cherry has developed a natural disease resistance to both early and late blight.
Moreover, it fruits in abundance. A single plant can give you up to a hundred tiny (1.5–2cm wide), red tomatoes in just one season!
Just note that Matt’s Cherry is a vigorous grower. Prune your tomatoes regularly and provide sturdy support to keep them healthy.
Roma VF
| Type | Determinate Hybrid Plum |
| Resistant to | Verticillium and Fusarium wilt |
| When to harvest | 75–85 days after planting |
Roma VF is one of the most popular plum (paste) tomatoes in Australia and around the world.
The “VF” stands for Verticillium and Fusarium resistance, meaning it’s less likely to be hit by these diseases.
It produces meaty, oval or pear-shaped fruit with few seeds, making it perfect for sauces and sun-drying.
Roma VF tomatoes have a rich, tangy flavour and a firm texture that holds up well when cooked.
Sungold F1 tomato
| Type | Indeterminate Hybrid Cherry |
| Resistant to | Fusarium and Verticillium wilt, TOMV, TYLCV |
| When to harvest | After 55–65 days |
Sungold F1 tomatoes have earned the Royal Horticultural Society Award for their excellent disease resistance. They can fend off:
- Fusarium wilt
- Verticillium wilt
- Tomato mosaic virus (TOMV)
- Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)
(But note that they can be affected by late blight.)
Sungold F1 is also a prolific producer. It fruits in clusters of golden-orange, cherry-sized tomatoes early in the season.
They have a tropical, candy-like flavour that many love!
Tomatoes for Colder Climates
Tomato plants thrive best in warm climates, and frost will kill them!
Still, some varieties can handle lower temperatures better, making them suitable for Australia’s cooler regions.
Black Russian
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Slicing |
| When to harvest | 75–90 days after planting |
Black Russian tomatoes can bear fruit even when temperatures dip to 10°C.
The fruit has brownish-red to purple-black skin. This darker colour allows them to absorb and retain heat.
Each tomato measures 7–10cm wide and can weigh up to 300g, so it’s often called a small beefsteak.
The flavour is smoky and sweet with mild acidity — a great choice for gourmet dishes!
Kotlas
| Type | Determinate Heirloom Slicing |
| Height | 0.6–1m |
| When to harvest | 60–65 days after planting |
Kotlas (also called ‘Sprint’ or ‘Kotlas Sprint’) is a tough tomato that can bear fruit even when temperatures drop below the ideal range.
Each plant produces clusters of 7–9 medium red tomatoes with a nicely balanced flavour.
Since Kotlas is a bush type, it can be grown in a container and doesn’t need much pruning.
It’s also blight resistant, making it a great low-maintenance choice for Australia’s cooler areas.
Saint Pierre
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Slicing |
| When to harvest | 70–90 days |
Saint Pierre is a French heirloom that performs well in Australia’s cooler regions. It can also grow even in poorer soils.
It produces red, round tomatoes, typically 100–300g each, with juicy flesh and crack-resistant skin.
Saint Pierre tomatoes have a mild and well-balanced flavour, so you can enjoy them fresh or cooked.
Siberian
| Type | Determinate Heirloom Cherry |
| Height | 1m tall |
| When to harvest | 60–70 days after planting |
The Siberian tomato is probably the best type to grow in cooler Aussie regions like Canberra and Melbourne.
This tough cherry tomato can fruit even at 3°C and matures early, so it’s well-suited to shorter growing seasons.
The tomatoes are small and round or egg-shaped, with orange-red skin. They have a balanced tomato flavour and firm flesh.
Stupice
| Type | Indeterminate Heirloom Slicing |
| When to harvest | 55–65 days after planting |
Stupice tomatoes came from Czechoslovakia, which explains why they do well in colder climates.
They can fruit even at 10°C, and are usually ready to harvest as early as 55–65 days after transplanting.
Stupice tomatoes yield plenty of red, round fruits that are 5–7 cm across. They have an old-fashioned flavour that’s both sweet and tangy!
FAQs About Tomato Varieties
Got more questions about tomato varieties in Australia? We’ve got you covered!
What is the best tomato variety to grow in Australia?
It depends on your needs and preferences, but among the most popular ones are Grosse Lisse, San Marzano, and Tommy Toe.
Here are other recommended options:
- FOR COOLER CLIMATES: Black Russian, Kotlas, Siberian
- FOR POTS OR SMALL SPACES: Patio, Tatura Dwarf, Tiny Tim
- DISEASE-RESISTANT TYPES: Big Beef, Crimson Crush, Sungold
Which dwarf tomato varieties grow well in Australia?
Some of the best dwarf tomatoes to grow in Australia are:
- Patio: 50 cm tall
- Tiny Tim: 50 cm tall
- Tatura Dwarf: 60–80 cm tall
- Gold Nugget: 100–150cm tall
Which varieties of tomatoes are indeterminate in Australia?
These are some of the most popular indeterminate varieties in Australia:
- Sungold: hybrid cherry tomato
- Big Beef: hybrid beefsteak tomato
- Tommy Toe: heirloom cherry tomato
- Grosse Lisse: heirloom slicing tomato
- Costoluto Genovese: heirloom beefsteak tomato
