Name: Beefsteak Tomato 'Black Krim' - Solanum lycopersicum
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

Beefsteak Tomato 'Black Krim' – heritage rarity from Crimea with an intense, spicy flavour.

This traditional, open-pollinated beefsteak tomato produces dark red to purplish-brown fruits with juicy flesh and an intense, full-bodied flavour with sweet, spicy and slightly earthy notes. It ripens from mid-early to mid-late season and is suitable for growing in a greenhouse, in a sheltered outdoor position or in large containers. Its unusual colouring and long harvest period make it particularly appealing for self-sufficient growing and the cultivation of traditional varieties.

Origin & History

‘Black Krim’ is a traditional, open-pollinated beefsteak tomato from the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea, which is part of Ukraine. Botanically, it belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the subfamily Solanoideae and the genus *Solanum*. The variety is also known as ‘Black Crimea’ and ‘Noire de Crimée’ and is one of the historic dark-fruited tomatoes of the Black Sea region.

Its history dates back to the period before its international distribution. A widely circulated historical account links the variety to the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856, during which seeds are said to have been taken from Crimea and subsequently propagated elsewhere. The first specifically dated reference under the name ‘Black Krim’ dates from 1990, when it was offered by a Swedish seed saver from Bromma in an international seed exchange yearbook. This marked the beginning of its documented distribution within international seed conservation networks.

Today, ‘Black Krim’ is valued worldwide as an heirloom tomato. Its characteristic dark fruit colour, distinctive flavour and open-pollinated nature make it a valuable traditional cultivated variety.

Appearance & Characteristics

The plant has a vigorous, indeterminate growth habit and reaches a height of around 150–250 cm. It develops regular, green tomato foliage and produces large, often slightly flattened fruits. Their dark colouring becomes particularly pronounced with good exposure to sunlight and when fully ripe.

Fruit details:

Size: Large, usually around 200–400 g per fruit, occasionally heavier
Shape: Flattened round to broad-round, often slightly ribbed
Color: Dark red to purplish-brown, often with dark green shoulders and greenish-brown tones
Texture: Juicy, soft to tender-fleshed, with a fleshy interior
Flavor: Intensely aromatic and full-bodied, sweet and spicy with balanced acidity and slightly earthy notes

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The fruits of ‘Black Krim’ are excellent for fresh salads, sliced tomatoes, sandwiches and eating fresh. Their juicy, aromatic flesh is particularly enjoyable raw, but can also be used for sauces, purées and other tomato dishes. The dark fruit colour creates a striking contrast with red and yellow tomato varieties.

As a heat-loving indeterminate tomato, ‘Black Krim’ thrives in sunny, sheltered positions with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Sturdy support, consistent watering and good air circulation promote healthy growth. Large fruits may split if soil moisture fluctuates considerably. Under favourable conditions, the plant continues to produce new flowers and fruits over an extended period, making it suitable for continuous harvesting in the home garden.

Compared with classic red beefsteak tomatoes, ‘Black Krim’ is particularly distinguished by its dark-coloured fruits and intense, sweet and spicy flavour – a distinctive, open-pollinated variety with traditional origins in Crimea.

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Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

19th century

Origin:

Halbinsel Krim, Schwarzmeerregion

Breeder:

Unknown – heritage variety

Propagation site:

Alentejo - Portugal

Suitable for:

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

Care requirements:

Medium – requires some attention.

Overwintering:

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

Special features:

High-yielding, Sun-loving / sunny, Heat-tolerant

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Cultivation guide for

Black Krim

Growing difficulty:

Medium

• 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, pre‑cultivation from March - transplant from mid‑May after frost in full sun.
• Sow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich loamy soil - 0.5-1 cm deep. Plant spacing: 50 × 70 cm.

Cultivation tips:

• Beefsteak tomatoes are typically grown with a single stem to promote better air circulation and fruit development.
• In temperate climates, a rain cover is recommended – a simple roof or plastic tunnel is sufficient.
• 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:

Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Black Krim'

Botanical family:

Solanaceae

Plant type:

Fruit vegetables

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Indeterminate growth habit

Plant width:

50 cm

Plant height:

150–250 cm

Root type:

Deep-rooted, Taprooted

Hardy to:

Nicht winterhart, frostempfindlich.

Cultivation period:

6-10 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:

Lichtunabhängiger Keimer, 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 20-30 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:

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

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., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure.

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Bean, Carrot, Radish varieties, Onion, Garlic, Lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce, Spinach, 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:

3,5-5 months

Harvested parts:

Fruits

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Raw consumption, Salad, Smoothies, Juice / juicing, Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Baking, Deep-frying, Fermentation, To purée, Freezing, Preserving, Stuffing

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

Moderate to 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