Name: 'San Marzano' Roma Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

'San Marzano' Roma Tomato – legendary Italian variety for sauces and tomato paste.

This variety is an elongated flask- or Roma-type tomato with an exceptional fruity-aromatic flavor and firm flesh. It ripens mid-early to late and is ideally suited for cultivation in greenhouses, protected outdoor beds, and large containers. Robust, high-yielding, and perfect for self-sufficiency – an excellent choice for the organic home garden.

Origin & History

‘San Marzano’ is an open-pollinated Roma tomato from Campania, Italy, first mentioned around 1770. According to legend, the seeds came from South America to Naples and were cultivated in the fertile volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area – still the center of San Marzano cultivation today.

The variety is particularly suited for making tomato paste and sauces – its firm flesh and low water content make it the ideal processing tomato. From 1926 onwards, industrial cultivation began and the variety spread worldwide.

In 1991 it was removed from the official variety catalog, but thanks to an initiative in Campania it survived in home gardens. Today it is recognized by the EU with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status when grown in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino. Its legendary flavor makes it the “queen of sauce tomatoes” and a true enrichment for any variety garden.

Appearance & Characteristics

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

Fruit details:

Size: Medium, approx. 80–120 g per fruit
Shape: Bottle-shaped, elongated oval
Color: Bright red, evenly colored
Texture: Firm, low water content, dense flesh, few seeds
Flavor: Legendary fruity-aromatic – intense and full-bodied

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The fruits of the ‘San Marzano’ variety are excellent for soups, sauces, passata, and tomato paste. With their firm flesh and low water content, they are the perfect processing tomato for Italian cuisine.

Thanks to its robustness, this tomato variety thrives reliably in protected outdoor beds, greenhouses, and large containers. The disease-tolerant plants are characterized by vigorous growth and high yields.

Compared to other beefsteak tomatoes, ‘San Marzano’ is particularly aromatic and ideal for processing – perfect for those who appreciate robust, open-pollinated tomatoes with exceptional character and culinary tradition.

Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

1770 - already widespread before

Origin:

Italy

Breeder:

Not officially known – distributed through preservation initiatives

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, Resilient, Sun-loving / sunny, Heat-tolerant

Plant_Growing_Instructions_-_Pflanzen_Anbau-Anleitung_-_Instrucoes_de_cultivo_de_plantas_-_www

Cultivation guide for

<tc>San Marzano</tc>

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, 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:

• 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:

<tc>Solanum lycopersicum L. 'San Marzano'</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:

6-7 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 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:

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, Adaptable, 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:

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:

5-7 months

Harvested parts:

Fruits

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Natural garden, Raw consumption, Salad, Juice / juicing, To purée, Cooking, Roasting, Baking, Grilling, Pickling, Preserving, Drying / Dehydrating, Freezing, Stuffing

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., 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:

• Beefsteak tomato

DE - German names:

• Roma-Tomate • Flaschentomate • Fleischtomate

PT - Portuguese names:

• Tomate carnudo

ES - Spanish names:

• Tomate carnoso

FR - French names:

• Tomate charnue

Further recommendations for you

100% open-pollinated & reproducible

141%

(24)

(0)

Richtig tolle Auswahl an samenfestem Saatgut und alten Sorten. Man merkt sofort, dass hier viel Wissen und Leidenschaft dahintersteckt. Besonders spannend finde ich auch die Setzlinge vor Ort, super Qualität und perfekt für alle, die direkt loslegen wollen. Klare Empfehlung für alle, die Wert auf nachhaltigen Anbau und besondere Sorten legen.

Excellent Seeds from a Caring Seller

Benji has an incredible selection of open pollinated, organic seeds, both perennial and annual. We have bought from him numerous times and if we want a special, rare or medicinal herb, will always look to Benji's first and he doesn't disappoint. Fast secure payment and delivery too as an added bonus!

Super toller Zitronen Basilikum

Hallo lieber Benji 😊 Ich hoffe es geht Dir gut! Wollte Dir nur kurz schreiben, dass der Zitronen-Basilikum von Dir ganz toll ist 😍 Wünsche Dir ein schönes Wochenende 🌺

schnelle Lieferung, hohe Keimqualität wie beschrieben. ich kann Benjis nur empfehlen!

Selbst Ich, als Jemand der sich nie für Garten oder Selbstversorgung ausgekannt. Da fand ich Benjis.net und bin überrascht wie gut die Produkte und die Infos von Benjis wirklich sind. So das Ich erfolgreich mich dafür begeistern konnte meine Lebensmittel selbst anzupflanzen. Es ist zuverlässig qualitativ Hochwertig sowie das Fachwissen sowie der Service ist erste Klasse ! -

Excellent heirloom seeds and great service

I’m very happy with all the seeds I’ve purchased at Benji’s. They all worked out very well and have grown into healthy and productive plants. I definitely will buy here again and highly recommend this shop!

1 2

Country/region

Language

'San Marzano' Roma Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum

Harvest year:

Seed viability:

Description

Cultivation & Characteristics