How to Choose Tomato Varieties: What’s the BEST Tomato to Grow in 2025?

Terroir and Climate

• Every region has its plants and local specialties for a reason—some crops simply thrive better in specific environments.
• In windy areas, opt for dwarf or determinate growth varieties and consider growing them under protection.
• In mountainous regions, go for early or mid-season varieties, avoiding late ones.
• In arid regions, water is your primary limiting factor. No water, no thriving tomatoes. Invest in water storage solutions like soil humus or cisterns to boost productivity.

Flavor(s)

Disclaimer: Taste is subjective and can vary depending on soil and cultivation methods.

That said, genetics heavily influence a tomato's flavor, and not all tomatoes are created equal. Some are outright disappointing.

Here’s a breakdown of different taste profiles:

• Classic flavors: “A good, old-fashioned tomato taste” (Rose de Berne, Riccio di Parma)
• Sweet: “Like little candies for snacking” (Green doctor frosted)

• Big and sweet: Ideal for salads or reducing acidity in sauces (ananas)

• Complex flavors: Often found in marbled varieties, perfect for “fireworks on your palate” . (Copper river, everett's rusty oxheart)
• Acidic: Adds a tangy pop to your dishes green zébra)
• • Tomatoes with unexpected flavors: For surprising your (Babyllon's glow)

Earliness

Early varieties are perfect for regions with short summers, maturing in just 55–70 days after planting. Examples: Gregory Altaï (decent) (less impressive). While early tomatoes often sacrifice flavor for speed, good compromises include Taïga ​ Blush.

The best strategy? Grow a mix: a few early varieties for a quick harvest, with the bulk reserved for mid-season and late varieties that bring richer flavors.

Tomate Taïga, variété Canadienne de Karen Olivier

Productivity

High yield often comes at the expense of flavor. Varieties like Money Maker and Merveille des Marchés are productive but bland. Better compromises include Goldman's Italian American, Dr Whyche’s Yellow or Smiley worms.For premium varieties with low yields, consider grafting onto vigorous rootstocks (topic for a future article).

Hardiness (Not "Resistance")

​

Claims of “blight resistance” or “drought tolerance” should be approached with skepticism. While some varieties are less susceptible than others, no tomato is immune. Blue varieties, while less prone to disease, often lack flavor. If you’re in a blight-prone area, focus on early varieties like Taïga or Polaris to harvest before the disease strikes.

Special Case: Elongated Tomatoes

Long tomatoes are prone to blossom-end rot. While there are ways to mitigate this (article coming soon), grafting onto robust rootstocks is the most effective solution. Sensitivity varies among varieties:
From most to least sensitive: 

•     San Marazano 1/10 
•     Cornue des Andes 2/10
•     Green tiger 4/10
•     Tulip yellow 5/10
•     Drapée 5/10
•     Prolifique de Falissole 7/10
•     Smiley worms 7/10
•     Tulip 8/10
•     Boxer Rebellion CTR Strain 9/10
•     Yellow Fire 9/10 

Aesthetics

Beauty is subjective, but certain varieties have a universal “wow” factor.

However, aesthetics often come at the expense of taste. Varieties like Voyage or Curly Kaley.  are visually striking but better suited for ornamental purposes. These unusual types are excellent conversation starters, especially for those unfamiliar with the diversity of tomatoes.

Why Are Blue Tomatoes Often Disappointing?

Blue tomatoes originate from a single cross developed in 2004 (OSU PE20), which is known for its poor flavor. While taste is gradually improving, it’s still far from ideal. Notable exceptions, like La Cadéro, Pascal de Picardie or Rebel star fighter prime). offer hope, but overall, blue tomatoes remain underwhelming.

Heirloom vs. Modern Varieties

This debate thrives on polarization. Both heirloom and modern varieties have their hits and misses. Some heirlooms (Marmande) are lackluster, while some modern breeds everett's rusty oxheart or Jipaulia)   marmandeare exceptional. The choice should be about flavor, not era, though preserving heirloom varieties is vital for biodiversity.  

Ease of Cultivation

Not all varieties demand equal attention. Easy-to-grow tomatoes, like kootenaï, violet jasper or champagne. are reliable but not extraordinary. On the other hand, fragile varieties like ananas zébra, lucky tiger or San Marzano require skill.

Grafting is highly recommended for these delicate plants.

To read our article on tomato grafting. 

Top Tomato Varieties for 2025