Maralinga Tomato

Name: Maralinga Tomato
Brand: Victory Seeds
Price: 3.45 USD
Availability: InStock

Solanum lycopersicum

Price: $ $3.45

SKU: 3403491

Quantity:

75 days, dwarf - The rugose, regular leaf plants produce heavy yields of rich-brown (yellow skinned black) tomatoes with deep crimson flesh that range between six to twelve ounces. The flavor shares the typical intensity of the best black tomatoes; rich, intense and memorable.

'Maralinga' is a "Dwarf Tomato Project" variety that originated with a cross between an early generation selection from the "Sleepy family" called ''Wilpena' and 'Cherokee Purple' made by Patrina Nuske Small in 2008 and named "Plentiful." It was selected and named by Patrina who explained to us that Maralinga is a, "... site in an arid area of South Australia where the British carried out atom bomb tests in the 1950s causing trauma to the indigenous people who were displaced, and terrible radiation pollution. The original tomato had an explosion of beetroot red interior flesh colour, so the naming of this tomato is a kind of memorial I guess."

The project members that helped in the stabilization process were Craig LeHoullier, Patrick Sullivan, Lisa Moore, Rich Hawksworth, Shawn Conant, Scott Jacobs, Bill Yoder, Doug Frank, and Bill Minkey working on its stabilization. Introduced for the 2016 gardening season.

Color: Black
Color: Brown
Special Groups: Dwarf Tomato Project
Special Groups: Container Friendly
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Genetic Classification: Open Pollinated
Leaf Type: Regular Leaf

Sow seeds indoors (do not direct sow into the garden), using sterile seed starting mix, 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Plant 1/4" deep, water lightly but keep moist until emergence.

Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.

Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.

Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.

In an effort to keep this variety available to home gardeners, 'Maralinga' has been released by "The Dwarf Tomato Project" (the breeder) to the public under the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI). You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, if you save seeds or use 'Maralinga' to breed a new variety, you pledge not to restrict others' use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives. To learn more about this program, click here.

Customer Reviews:

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★★★★★ First one
By Karen Tiedemann (Black Hawk, SD) on July 22, 2026

I picked my first, ever, Maralinga this morning. Beautiful coloring and good size. We have been hit with a cool beginning to summer, now we've had a hot heat wave. I planted this in a 5 gallon bucket, moved them into a protect area, out of the cool weather and the heat, as needed. A lot of blossoms were lost, but this plant is still putting them on. The taste of this tomato is superb, not acidic, just the right amount of sweetness. It leaves a wonderful, lingering aftertaste on the tongue. Love it.

★★★★★ Germination
By Karen Tiedemann (Black Hawk, SD) on April 2, 2026

Just planted the seeds this year. Excellent germination and sturdy seedlings. Have never tasted heirloom tomatoes, so am excited about tasting these. Never knew there were so many different types/tastes in tomatoes outside of those awful store bought kind. Will grow my own from now on.

★★★★★ Tasty Treasure
By Jennifer Gregory on August 4, 2018

I grew these in 36 gallon totes that I had drilled out. They produced a few tomatoes before the heat did them in here, but the flavor and size were superb.