Name: 'White Beauty' Beefsteak Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

'White Beauty' Beefsteak Tomato – rare and historic heirloom with a mild-sweet aroma.

This variety is a cream-white beef tomato with an exceptionally mild-sweet flavor and fine aroma. It ripens mid-early and is ideally suited for cultivation outdoors, in greenhouses, and in large containers. Particularly robust and high-yielding – perfect for self-sufficiency as well as the home garden.

Origin & History

'White Beauty' is an open-pollinated beef tomato distinguished by its special cream-white coloration. It is believed to have originated in North America and was already documented around 1860. Between the late 19th and early 20th century, it enjoyed great popularity before nearly disappearing, only to be rediscovered thanks to seed savers.

Known internationally under the names Beauté Blanche (France) and White Beauty du Canada, this variety is especially appreciated by lovers of open-pollinated tomatoes. Its unusual color, historical significance, and unique flavor profile make it a true enrichment for any vegetable garden.

Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows indeterminately as a stake tomato and reaches a height of about 180–250 cm. It develops strong fruit clusters and bears robust, dark green foliage.

Fruit details:

Size: Medium, approx. 200-350 g per fruit
Shape: Flattened-round, slightly ribbed
Color: Cream-white to ivory, often with a delicate pinkish blush inside
Texture: Juicy, tender-melting flesh with few seeds
Flavor: Mild-sweet, very low in acidity, particularly digestible and aromatic

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

'White Beauty' fruits are excellent for fresh salads, as a flavorful snack, and for decorative garnishing of dishes. With their cream-white color and mild aroma, they are a true eye-catcher on the plate. This variety is also well suited for purées, mild sauces, and low-acid tomato juice.

Thanks to its heat tolerance, the tomato grows reliably in protected outdoor beds, greenhouses, and large containers of at least 30–40 liters. Very robust and high-yielding, even under changeable weather conditions. It sets fruit steadily into autumn, even at cooler temperatures.

Compared to other beef tomatoes, 'White Beauty' stands out with its cream-white appearance and mild, easily digestible flavor – ideal for those who value robust, open-pollinated varieties with historical significance.

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Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

Documented since 1860 – traditional heirloom variety

Origin:

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, Sun-loving / sunny, Heat-tolerant

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Cultivation guide for

<tc>White Beauty</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. 'White Beauty'</tc>

Botanical family:

Solanaceae

Plant type:

Fruit vegetables

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Indeterminate growth habit

Plant width:

50 cm

Plant height:

250 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 30-40 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., 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:

5-6 months

Harvested parts:

Fruits

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Decoration, Raw consumption, Salad, Cooking, Roasting, Grilling, Baking, To purée, Juice / juicing, Preserving, 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