Name: 'Zuckertraube' Cherry Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

'Zuckertraube' Cherry Tomato – honey-sweet small tomato with fruity character.

This variety is an open-pollinated cocktail tomato with an exceptionally sweet taste and intense aroma. It ripens mid-early and is ideally suited for cultivation in greenhouses, outdoors, and in large containers. The variety is robust, highly productive, and especially popular among self-sufficient growers and in organic farming.

Origin & History

‘Zuckertraube’ is one of the best-known open-pollinated cocktail tomatoes and is actively shared within seed networks. It is valued for its distinctive sweetness, intense aroma, and reliable cultivation performance.

The variety originated from the enthusiast culture of open-pollinated tomatoes and spread mainly through private gardeners and initiatives dedicated to seed preservation. It is regarded as a symbol of the return to robust, reproducible tomatoes and is today cultivated in many organic and self-sufficient gardens.

Its popularity makes it a staple in variety gardens and an important contribution to the preservation of biodiversity. Thanks to its ease of seed saving, it stands as a prime example of the significance of open-pollinated varieties in contrast to modern hybrids.

Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows indeterminately as a stake tomato and reaches a height of about 200 cm. It develops wide-spreading fruit clusters and bears vigorous, dark green foliage.

Fruit details:

Size: Small, approx. 15-25 g per fruit
Shape: Round to slightly oval
Color: Bright red, evenly colored
Texture: Juicy, tender flesh, thin skin (not completely crack-resistant)
Flavor: Very sweet, with intense aroma – aromatic and fruity

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The fruits of the variety ‘Zuckertraube’ are excellent for fresh salads, as an aromatic snack, and for decorative garnishing of dishes. With their bright red color and intense sweet flavor, they are a true eye-catcher on the plate.

Thanks to its robustness, this tomato variety thrives reliably in protected outdoor beds, greenhouses, and large containers. It produces long, heavily laden trusses with many fruits that are both decorative and high-yielding. Even in cooler autumn temperatures, fruit set remains stable and the tomatoes ripen consistently.

Compared to other cherry tomatoes, ‘Zuckertraube’ is particularly sweet and versatile – ideal for gardeners who appreciate robust, open-pollinated tomatoes with exceptional character.

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Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

Recorded since 1994 - already widespread before

Origin:

Germany

Breeder:

Not officially known – distributed through preservation initiatives

Propagation site:

Lower Saxony – Germany

Suitable for:

Open field, Greenhouse, Polytunnel, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening

Care requirements:

Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

Overwintering:

Not winter-hardy – can be cultivated outdoors as an annual. Can be overwintered in a greenhouse in mild climates.

Special features:

Quickly usable, Fast-growing, High-yielding, Low-maintenance, Sun-loving / sunny, Heat-tolerant

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Cultivation guide for

<tc>Zuckertraube</tc>

Growing difficulty:

Easy

• In subtropical climates, pre-cultivation is possible from January - transplant outdoors from March in full sun, once day and night temperatures remain consistently above 15 °C.
• In temperate regions, start indoors from March – transplant outdoors in full sun from mid-May after the last frost.
• Sow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich loamy soil - 0.5-1 cm deep. Plant spacing: 50 × 70 cm.

Cultivation tips:

• Cherry and other small tomato varieties are usually grown with two to three stems to promote air circulation and fruit development.
• A sturdy support structure with tomato hooks provides secure hold for the stems, boosts yield, and makes plant care easier.
• When transplanting seedlings, plant them deep into the soil up to the base of the seed leaves – this encourages strong root development and supports healthy growth.
• Consistent watering enhances fruit quality and promotes healthy plant growth.
• At temperatures below 5 °C, plant growth slows significantly - cold stress can hinder development.
• Regular harvesting encourages new fruit set and increases overall yield.
• Biochar and rock dust improve soil structure and enhance the retention of nutrients and water.

Storage instructions:

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.

Detailed information on seed storage

Plant Profile

Plant details

Botanical name:

<tc>Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Zuckertraube'</tc>

Botanical family:

Solanaceae

Plant type:

Fruit vegetables

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Indeterminate growth habit

Plant width:

50 cm

Plant height:

200 cm

Root type:

Deep-rooted, Taprooted

Hardy to:

3 °C – only suitable for overwintering indoors or in a greenhouse.

Cultivation period:

8 months

Life cycle:

Perennial (grown as an annual)

Propagation method:

Generative propagation by seed, Propagation by cuttings

Propagation:

• This tomato variety is self-pollinating but can also cross-pollinate via insects. It belongs to the species Solanum lycopersicum and produces bisexual flowers.
• A minimum distance of 20–50 m from other tomato varieties is recommended for seed production to avoid unwanted cross‑pollination by insects.
• This tomato plant is perennial and forms clusters of flowers after blooming, which turn into fruit packed with seeds.
• Tomato seeds are ready for harvest when the fruits are fully ripe and slightly soft to the touch.

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Dark germinator, Warm germinator

Sowing depth:

0,5-1 cm

Germination temperature:

22-28 °C

Germination time:

6-14 days

Pot culture:

Requires a minimum container size of 15-20 liters.

Row spacing for baby leaf:

Not suitable for baby-leaf cultivation.

Plant spacing:

50 cm

Row spacing:

70 cm

Pricking out / thinning out:

Thin out seedlings within 2 weeks after the formation of the first true leaf pairs.

Planting time:

Plant only in consistently warm weather – ideally after the last frosts, when both daytime and nighttime temperatures are mild. Tomato seedlings are ready to be planted outdoors about four weeks after potting up, once temperatures are consistently warm.

Soil

Soil type:

Deep, well-drained, humus-rich loam

Soil pH:

6.0-6.8 - slightly acidic to neutral

Nutrient requirements:

Heavy feeder

Soil moisture:

Evenly moist, Sensitive to waterlogging

Soil preparation:

Loosen soil deeply before sowing, Apply compost before planting., Apply lime to acidic soil., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce, Spinach, Bean, Onion crops, Carrot, Radish varieties, Basil, Nasturtium, Calendula, Dill, Marjoram, Tagetes

Incompatible plants:

Eggplant, Physalis, Pepper / Chili pepper, Potato, Corn, Fennel, Pea, Beetroot, Celery, Cucurbits

Crop rotation guidelines:

• Do not plant after other nightshades – a minimum crop rotation interval of 3 years is recommended.
• Repeated cultivation at the same site increases disease pressure, leads to nutrient depletion, and impairs soil structure.
• Ideal previous crops include legumes, onions, root vegetables, and green manure – rotating crops supports healthy soil.
• Crop rotation with low-nutrient-demanding plants is recommended to prevent soil fatigue and maintain healthy growing conditions.
• Plan a green manure crop between heavy-feeding plants and this tomato variety to restore soil fertility.
• Avoid planting directly after heavy-feeding crops – allow the soil to recover and replenish nutrients first.

Harvest time:

Summer, Autumn

Sowing to harvest:

4-5 months

Harvested parts:

Fruits

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Raw consumption, Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Decoration, Salad, Juice / juicing, To purée, Fermentation, Pickling

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

High

Plant care techniques:

Water regularly - even during dry periods, Fertilize, Removing side shoots, Create a climbing support, Maintain weed-free, Inspect regularly for pest infestation

Plant protection:

Well-ventilated location and good drainage recommended., Rain protection recommended, Mulching recommended

Cultivation notes:

May develop mildew in damp weather – an airy location is recommended. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

Other names

EN - English names:

• Cherry tomato • Cocktail tomato

DE - German names:

• Cherry Tomate • Cocktailtomate

PT - Portuguese names:

• Tomate-cereja • Tomate cherry • Tomatinho

ES - Spanish names:

• Tomate cereza • Tomate cherry

FR - French names:

• Tomate cerise

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'Zuckertraube' Cherry Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum

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