Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Krim’ (Tomato)

Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Krim’ – Black Krim Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Krim’ is a famous open-pollinated heirloom tomato from the Crimean Peninsula, prized for its unusual dark coloring, rich flavor, and substantial beefsteak fruit. The indeterminate plants produce flattened to slightly lobed tomatoes with deep brown-red, purple-red, and violet tones, often retaining green or green-black shoulders when ripe.

Despite the name, a ripe Black Krim tomato is not literally jet black. Fruit color changes with growing conditions: stronger sunlight and heat can deepen the shoulders and skin until parts of the fruit appear almost black, while fruit grown under cooler or less intense conditions may remain more brown-purple or maroon. This makes Black Krim one of the clearest examples of why tomato color should be described as a range rather than a single fixed shade.

Quick Facts – ‘Black Krim’ Tomato

• Planting: Plant after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; space about 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) apart.
• Water: Maintain reasonably even root-zone moisture, particularly during fruit expansion.
• Feeding: Use balanced fertility and avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Support: Provide a sturdy cage, trellis, stake, or string system for the indeterminate vines.
• Pruning: Match pruning to support and available space rather than removing every sucker automatically.
• Mulching: Mulch after the soil warms to conserve moisture and reduce soil splash.
• Best use: Choose Black Krim for distinctive dark color, complex heirloom flavor, and substantial beefsteak fruit for fresh eating.

1 What Makes ‘Black Krim’ Special?

Black Krim stands out because of the combination of its dark coloring, complex flavor, and substantial beefsteak fruit. Johnny’s describes the fruit as deep brown-red with brown-green shoulders and generally 8-16 oz., while Seed Savers Exchange describes violet-brown and purple-red fruit that can darken almost to black under sufficient heat and sunlight.

Its flavor is one of the cultivar’s biggest attractions. Black Krim is known for a rich, full taste balancing sweetness and acidity, with smoky notes and, to some palates, a slightly salty quality.

Unlike modern red slicing hybrids bred heavily for uniform appearance, Black Krim may retain dark green shoulders and show substantial variation in tone across a ripe fruit. That is part of the cultivar’s normal appearance.

2 Where Did Black Krim Come From?

Black Krim is associated with the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea. The name “Krim” is a form of Crimea, and the cultivar is also known as Black Crimea or Black Crimean.

The modern North American seed history is much better documented than its earlier local history. Seed Savers Exchange records that Black Krim was introduced to its network by Lars Olov Rosenstrom of Sweden and first appeared in the 1990 Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook.

Rosenstrom noted that fruit grown in his heated greenhouse became exceptionally dark, while fruit grown outdoors appeared more brownish-purple. That observation is particularly useful because it helps explain why photographs of supposedly identical Black Krim tomatoes can look surprisingly different.

3 Is Black Krim Really Black?

No tomato cultivar produces uniformly jet-black fruit in the everyday sense of the word. Black Krim belongs to the horticultural group commonly called black tomatoes, whose ripe fruits combine dark red, brown, purple, and dusky pigments rather than a single true-black color.

Black Krim typically ripens to a mixture of brown-red, purple-red, violet-brown, and green-black tones. The shoulders often remain green or olive-green even when the rest of the fruit is ripe.

Heat and sunlight can intensify the darker pigmentation. Seed Savers specifically notes that fruit can turn almost black under sufficient sun and heat.

4 Growth Habit, Height, and Support

Black Krim is an indeterminate tomato. Its vines continue extending, flowering, and producing fruit through the season rather than ending growth after one concentrated crop.

Published mature-height information varies by seed source. Burpee currently lists its Black Krim at about 42 in. (107 cm). Because Black Krim is indeterminate, however, vines may grow substantially farther depending on genetics, support, pruning, fertility, climate, and season length.

For practical garden planning, the indeterminate habit is more useful than treating one catalog height as an absolute maximum. Install a sturdy support system early and allow the plant enough space to develop a productive canopy.

For more on growth habit, see Gardenia’s Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes. For pruning guidance, see How and When to Prune Tomatoes.

5 How to Grow ‘Black Krim’

Sun

Grow Black Krim in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and preferably 8 or more. Strong light supports flowering, fruit development, ripening, and the cultivar’s characteristic dark pigmentation.

Soil

Plant in fertile, organically rich, moist but well-drained soil. Clay, loam, or sandy soil can work when drainage and fertility are suitable. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6.0-6.8.

Spacing

Allow about 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) between supported plants. Use wider spacing for large cages, multi-stem plants, or humid gardens where greater airflow is useful.

Water

Maintain reasonably even root-zone moisture. Black Krim is a juicy beefsteak tomato, and rapid changes from dry soil to abundant moisture can increase the risk of cracking.

Feeding

Use balanced fertility and avoid excessive nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can produce vigorous leafy growth while delaying flowering or ripening.

For complete tomato care, see Gardenia’s Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) profile.

6 How to Tell When Black Krim Is Ripe

Black Krim can confuse gardeners because ripe fruit often retains green shoulders. Waiting for the entire tomato to turn red or uniformly dark can result in fruit becoming overripe.

Instead, use several ripeness cues together:

• The lower and middle portions of the fruit have changed from green to brown-red, purple-red, or dark maroon.

• The shoulders have darkened but may still retain green or olive-green tones.

• The fruit gives slightly under gentle finger pressure.

• The skin has developed the cultivar’s characteristic dusky, dark appearance.

7 Cracking and Fruit Quality

Black Krim’s juicy, relatively large fruit can crack when water availability changes abruptly, particularly when dry soil is followed by heavy rain or irrigation.

Keeping root-zone moisture reasonably even is one of the most useful preventive strategies. Mulch can help slow evaporation and reduce rapid soil-moisture swings.

Cracking is not inevitable, and published claims about crack resistance are inconsistent across commercial seed sources. Gardenia therefore does not classify Black Krim as universally crack-resistant or universally crack-prone.

8 Disease Resistance and Common Problems

Black Krim should not be assigned a broad modern disease-resistance package without qualification.

Cornell has historically described Black Krim as a disease-resistant variety, but its resistance information does not establish a standardized modern V/F/N or other coded package for the cultivar. Cornell has also specifically stated that more evaluation is needed before late-blight resistance can be confirmed.

Commercial seed descriptions may make broader disease claims, but those should remain attached to the specific source rather than being converted into universal Black Krim resistance traits.

Plants may still encounter early blight, late blight, Septoria leaf spot, blossom-end rot, fruit cracking, and pests such as tomato hornworms.

If symptoms are unclear, use Gardenia’s Tomato Problems: What Is Wrong With My Plant?. For infectious diseases, see Tomato Diseases: Identification, Treatment & Prevention.

9 Harvesting and Using ‘Black Krim’

Black Krim is a main-season tomato that typically matures in about 80 days from transplanting.

Harvest when the fruit has developed its mature dark brown-red to purple-red color and has begun to soften slightly. Do not wait for the green shoulders to disappear completely.

The juicy, richly flavored fruit is especially good for fresh eating. Thick slices work well in sandwiches and tomato plates, while chopped Black Krim adds deep color and complex flavor to salads, bruschetta, and fresh salsa.

10 Growing ‘Black Krim’ in Containers

Black Krim can be grown in a container, but its indeterminate habit means it needs more root space and support than a compact patio tomato.

Use at least about a 10-gallon container, with additional soil volume providing a more forgiving moisture reserve. Install a strong cage, stake, or trellis when planting.

Container plants need especially consistent watering because restricted root volume can dry quickly during summer heat, increasing plant stress and the risk of cracking.

11 Companion Plants for ‘Black Krim’

Choose companions that share full sun and compatible soil conditions without crowding Black Krim’s indeterminate canopy.

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum) shares similar sun and moisture requirements and fits naturally into an edible tomato bed.

• French Marigold (Tagetes patula) thrives in full sun and can flower around the edges of tomato beds.

• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) can trail around bed edges without occupying the tomato’s vertical canopy space.

• Garlic (Allium sativum) can occupy garden space before the tomato reaches full summer size.

For more ideas based on compatible growing conditions and practical garden functions rather than folklore, see Gardenia’s Companion Plants for Tomatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions