Tomatoes for the Desert: Best Varieties for Arizona

By: Angela Judd | September 1, 2024

When it comes to growing tomatoes in Arizona, choosing the right variety is key. With our blazing summers and short growing season, it’s crucial to pick tomatoes that mature quickly—typically in 60 to 90 days. Smaller to medium-sized fruits tend to handle the heat best.

Here are some of my top picks for tomato varieties in Arizona, along with why they’re great and where you can find seeds:

Tomatoes for the Desert: Best Varieties for Arizona

10 Best Tomatoes for Arizona Gardens

Punta Banda: This tough little tomato from Mexico handles the heat like a champ, producing small, flavorful red fruits. Thicker skins mean they don’t split as easily. A meaty tomato that preserves well.

Find Punta Banda Seeds Here

Cherokee Purple: With its deep, complex flavor and unique purple-red color, it is a must-try. It produces medium to large fruits that are great for slicing.

Find Cherokee Purple Seeds Here

San Marzano: Known for its meaty, oblong fruits with a rich, slightly sweet flavor. They are perfect for sauces and canning. Maturing in about 80 days, they perform well in Arizona’s heat, providing a reliable harvest of flavorful tomatoes.

Find San Marzano Seeds Here

Black Krim: With its deep, smoky flavor, Black Krim is a standout. These medium-to-large tomatoes have a unique dark red color with green shoulders.

Find Black Krim Seeds Here

Celebrity: A reliable hybrid resistant to disease, Celebrity tomatoes are medium-sized fruits with that classic tomato taste we all love.

Find Celebrity Seeds Here

Best Cherry Tomatoes for Arizona:

Chocolate Cherry: These small, deep red-brown fruits have a rich, sweet flavor. Perfect for snacking or salads, they mature in about 70 days and thrive in Arizona’s heat, offering a steady harvest throughout the season.

Find Chocolate Cherry seeds here

Sungold: These tiny orange cherry tomatoes are a favorite for their unbeatable sweetness. They’re perfect for popping right off the vine.

Find Sungold Seeds Here

Juliet: Juliet tomatoes produce clusters of sweet, juicy, elongated fruits with a rich flavor, perfect for snacking, salads, or roasting. Maturing in about 60 days, they’re ideal for Arizona’s short growing season and are a prolific producer.

Find Juliet Seeds Here

Sweet 100: Known for producing tons of small, sweet tomatoes, Sweet 100 is an excellent choice for Arizona’s hot climate.

Find Sweet 100 Seeds Here

Yellow Pear: These prolific, pear-shaped yellow tomatoes have a mild, sweet flavor.

Find Yellow Pear Seeds Here

Have you had success growing tomatoes in Arizona? I’d love to hear about the varieties that worked best for you. Share your tips and experiences in the comments below.