Solanum lycopersicum 'Sungold'
Overview
Uses: Cherry tomato production, fresh eating, salads, raised beds, patio containers.
Benefits: Famously sweet golden-orange cherry tomatoes, early and prolific harvest, long trusses of fruit, vigorous indeterminate vines that keep producing until frost.
USDA Hardiness Zones: Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Annual
Growth Habit: Upright, Climbing — indeterminate vines requiring support.
Bloom Color: Yellow
Mature Height: 6–10'
Mature Width: 24–36"
Bloom Season: Summer to Early Fall
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Often called the sweetest cherry tomato a gardener can grow, Sungold turns out long trusses of glowing golden-orange fruit with a tropical, almost fruity flavor that has earned it a near-cult following.
Vigorous indeterminate vines begin setting fruit early and keep producing in steady waves through summer and into fall, with clusters ripening progressively from the base up. The thin-skinned fruit is at its best eaten straight off the vine; harvest promptly once fully colored, as ripe Sungold tomatoes can split if left on the plant during rain or heavy watering.
Tall, sprawling growth benefits from sturdy staking, caging, or a tall trellis. Given full sun, rich soil, and consistent moisture, Sungold will reward the season with a steady stream of bright, sugar-sweet fruit unlike anything found at the grocery store.
Care
Sungold Tomato Care
Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60°F. Choose a site with a minimum of 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily; more sun produces sweeter, more abundant fruit.
Grow in rich, well-drained soil amended with compost. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from consistent moisture throughout the season — water deeply at the base of the plant rather than overhead, and aim for even soil moisture to reduce fruit splitting.
Work a slow release fertilizer into the planting hole and side-dress again once fruit begins to set. Avoid overly nitrogen-heavy feeding, which encourages foliage at the expense of fruit.
Install a tall cage, sturdy stake, or string trellis at planting time. Sungold vines easily reach six feet or more and become difficult to support once heavy with fruit. Prune lower suckers to improve airflow, and remove yellowing leaves near the base as the season progresses.
Container Growing: Sungold performs well in large containers — choose a pot at least 5 gallons in size with excellent drainage, and pair it with a strong support structure. Container-grown tomatoes dry out faster than those in the ground and will require daily watering during hot weather. Fertilize container plants more frequently than in-ground plants, as nutrients leach out with each watering.
Size
What Size is the Sungold Tomato for Sale Online?
Our Sungold Tomato ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants may arrive with buds or early fruit during active growing season. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Sungold Tomato Grow?
Mature plants typically reach 6–10 feet tall when well supported and spread 24–36 inches wide. As an indeterminate variety, Sungold continues growing throughout the season rather than reaching a fixed size and stopping.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This variety is most commonly sold as Sungold Tomato, Sun Gold Cherry Tomato, or Sungold F1.
What makes Sungold different from other cherry tomatoes?
Sungold is widely regarded as one of the sweetest cherry tomatoes available, with a distinct tropical, almost fruity flavor profile that sets it apart from typical red or yellow cherry varieties. The bright golden-orange color is also unusual and makes it visually striking in salads and on the vine. It is an F1 hybrid, so seed saved from the fruit will not grow true to type.
Does Sungold tomato split or crack on the vine?
Sungold is known for its thin, delicate skin, which contributes to its exceptional eating quality but also makes ripe fruit prone to splitting — especially after heavy rain or inconsistent watering. Picking fruit as soon as it reaches full color and maintaining even soil moisture both help reduce cracking.
Is Sungold suitable for container growing?
Yes. Sungold grows well in large patio containers with sturdy staking or caging, and it is a popular choice for raised beds and edible patio gardens. Browse related selections in our tomato plants, annual vegetable plants, and patio plants collections.
