Tomato plants growing in rows in a garden bed

Brandywine Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

ModerateGrows in pots

Brandywine is an heirloom slicing tomato with soft, juicy fruit. It is usually started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and needs full sun and warm weather.

Quick facts

Germination time: 6–12 days
Germination temperature: 24–29 °C75–84 °F
Sowing depth: 3 mm⅛ in
Spacing between plants: 61 cm2 ft
Days to maturity: 65–90 days from transplanting
Sun: Full sun

Safety for cats and dogs: not yet verified.

Compare with another seed How to grow it

By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated Oct 19, 2026

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01 · Overview

About brandywine tomato

Brandywine. Brandywine is an heirloom slicing tomato with soft, juicy fruit. It is grown in yellow, red, or black forms, and many gardeners prefer its rich tomato flavor. Heirloom tomatoes are older open-pollinated cultivars, so seed saved from them tends to grow plants like the parent. Heirloom tomatoes generally have little to no disease resistance, and they are more susceptible to disease.

Growing details

Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost
Sow outdoors: Not yet verified
Water: Moderate
Containers: Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger
Height: 0.3–3 m1–10 ft
Spread: 0.3–1.2 m1–4 ft
Frost tolerance: Not yet verified
Soil pH: pH 6.2–6.8
Life cycle: Not yet verified

Sowing timeline

When to sow brandywine tomato seeds

Counted from your area's average last spring frost date. Find yours from a local weather service or garden center, then count back or forward.

Start indoors6–8 weeks before the last frost

Germination time: 6–12 days
Germination temperature: 24–29 °C75–84 °F
Days to maturity: 65–90 days from transplanting

02 · How to grow

How to grow brandywine tomato from seed

Sowing. Start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow the seed about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) deep and keep the seed-starting mix at 75–85 °F (24–29 °C) with moderate moisture. Seeds germinate in 6 to 12 days.

Transplanting. Wait to plant outdoors until the chance of a killing frost has passed and the soil is at least 50 °F (10 °C). Space plants about 24 inches (61 cm) apart. Plants need full sun, and the soil pH is best between 6.2 and 6.8.

Support. Because the plant is a vine, staking, caging, or trellising keeps the stems and fruit off the ground. Cages or stakes also keep stems from breaking or drooping under the weight of fruit.

03 · Care

Caring for brandywine tomato

Watering. Water regularly to keep the growing medium evenly moist. Steady watering helps prevent blossom end rot and split fruit.

Feeding. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, can produce lots of leaves with little fruit.

Containers. Tomatoes can be grown in containers that hold at least 5 gallons (19 L), one plant per pot, and are 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) deep. Another recommendation is at least 4 gallons (15 L) for standard-sized tomatoes.

At a glance

How brandywine tomato compares with other vegetables

Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Vegetables on SeedBattle.

Brandywine Tomato
Each of the other vegetables
Their average

See all vegetables

Germination timeAbout average
6–12 days
Average for vegetables: 10 days, from 39 other seeds
Days to maturityAbout average
65–90 days from transplanting
Average for vegetables: 73 days, from 14 other seeds
Germination temperatureWarmer than average
24–29 °C75–84 °F
Average for vegetables: 22 °C72 °F, from 38 other seeds
Sowing depthShallower than average
3 mm⅛ in
Average for vegetables: 1 cm½ in, from 58 other seeds
Spacing between plantsWider than average
61 cm2 ft
Average for vegetables: 34 cm13 in, from 43 other seeds
HeightTaller than average
0.3–3 m1–10 ft
Average for vegetables: 92 cm3 ft, from 57 other seeds

04 · Problems

Common brandywine tomato problems

Pests and disease. Tomatoes are susceptible to many pests, including hornworms, aphids, cutworms, and whiteflies. Diseases include blights, blossom end rot, and verticillium and fusarium wilts. Disease resistance varies by cultivar.

Fruit and blossom problems. Blossom end rot and fruit cracking are common when watering is inconsistent. When daytime temperatures reach 90 °F (32 °C) by 10 a.m., blossoms that opened that morning can drop.

05 · Harvest

Harvesting brandywine tomato

Harvest. Pick fruit as soon as its color starts to change, which reduces cracking, splitting, and insect damage. Flavor is best when fruit is picked fully vine-ripened but still firm.

06 · Storage

Storing brandywine tomato

Storage. Don’t refrigerate tomatoes; let them ripen fully indoors at room temperature. Green tomatoes can be stored at 50 to 70 °F (10 to 21 °C) for one to three weeks. Refrigeration can reduce flavor and leave a mealy texture.

07 · Safety

Brandywine Tomato safety

Pets. Tomato plants are listed as a problem for cats and dogs, but no severity is given.

People. Don’t eat the leaves or stems; the fruit is the part that is eaten.

Brandywine Tomato questions

How long do Brandywine tomato seeds take to germinate?

Seeds germinate in 6 to 12 days. Keep the soil moist but not wet while they sprout.

When should I start Brandywine tomato seeds indoors?

Start them indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.

Can I grow Brandywine tomatoes in a pot?

Tomatoes can be grown in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L), with one plant per pot. Another recommendation is at least 4 gallons (15 L) for standard-sized tomatoes.