Tigerella Tomatoes: Stripy Tomato Growing Guide
Tigerella tomatoes are one of the most distinctive and eye-catching tomato varieties you can grow. Famous for their striking red fruits streaked with golden-yellow stripes, Tigerella tomatoes combine ornamental appeal with excellent flavour. They are particularly valued for their early cropping, refreshing taste, and reliable performance in UK gardens.
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This stripy tomato growing guide covers everything you need to know about growing Tigerella tomatoes successfully — from sowing and planting to watering, feeding, training, harvesting, and dealing with common problems. With the right care, Tigerella tomatoes deliver both visual impact and delicious results.
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What Are Tigerella Tomatoes?
Tigerella is a cordon (indeterminate) tomato variety that continues to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. Plants are vigorous and upright, producing trusses of medium-sized, round tomatoes with distinctive red and yellow striping.
The flavour is fresh, tangy, and slightly sharp compared to sweeter salad tomatoes, making Tigerella ideal for salads, slicing, sandwiches, and fresh eating. The skin is thin, and the flesh is juicy, giving the tomatoes a refreshing bite.
Tigerella tomatoes are also known for being relatively early croppers, making them a good choice for gardeners who want harvests sooner in the season.
Why Grow Tigerella Tomatoes?
Tigerella tomatoes offer several advantages that make them popular with home gardeners:
• Unique striped appearance
• Early cropping compared to many varieties
• Good flavour for fresh eating
• Reliable performance in UK conditions
• Vigorous growth and strong yields
They are often grown as both a productive crop and a talking point in the garden due to their unusual appearance.
Best Place to Grow Tigerella Tomatoes
Tigerella tomatoes grow well both under cover and outdoors in warm, sheltered positions.
Outdoors
Tigerella performs well outside in the UK, provided plants are grown in a sunny, sheltered location with good airflow. Their early cropping habit helps them produce fruit before late-season weather becomes an issue.
Greenhouse or Polytunnel
Growing under cover provides more consistent conditions, earlier harvests, and protection from rain, which helps reduce disease risk.
Containers
Tigerella tomatoes grow well in large containers and grow bags, making them suitable for patios and small gardens.
When to Sow Tigerella Tomato Seeds
In the UK, Tigerella tomatoes are usually sown indoors from late February to early April.
For outdoor growing, sowing in late March often produces sturdier plants that adapt better to outdoor conditions. Earlier sowing is suitable if you have grow lights or a heated propagator.
Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 18–22°C, usually within 7–14 days.
Avoid sowing too early without sufficient light, as seedlings can become tall and weak.
How to Sow Tigerella Tomato Seeds
Fill clean pots or seed trays with fine, moist seed compost. Sow seeds thinly on the surface and cover lightly with compost or vermiculite.
Water gently and place in a warm location. Once seedlings emerge, move them into bright light immediately.
When seedlings develop their first true leaves, prick them out into individual pots. Handle seedlings by the leaves rather than the stems to avoid damage.
Growing Conditions for Tigerella Tomatoes
Light
Tigerella tomatoes need plenty of sunlight to develop colour and flavour. Aim for at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Temperature
Ideal growing temperatures are between 18–24°C. Growth slows below 10°C, and frost will kill plants. Protect from cold nights early and late in the season.
Airflow
Good airflow helps reduce disease risk and improves pollination. Space plants adequately and ventilate greenhouses regularly.
Planting Tigerella Tomatoes
When to Plant Out
Under cover, plant out from late April to early May once temperatures are stable. Outdoors, wait until all risk of frost has passed, usually late May to early June.
Harden plants off gradually over 7–10 days before planting outdoors.
Spacing
Space plants 45–60cm apart to allow for strong growth and good airflow.
Planting Depth
Plant tomatoes deeply, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. This encourages strong root development and improves plant stability.
Growing Tigerella Tomatoes in Containers
Choose containers at least 30–35cm deep and wide. Use high-quality compost designed for vegetables or tomatoes.
Ensure good drainage. Container-grown plants dry out faster than ground-grown ones and need more frequent watering and feeding.
Position containers in the sunniest, most sheltered spot available.
Supporting and Training Tigerella Tomatoes
As a cordon variety, Tigerella tomatoes require support.
Use tall canes, strings, or spiral supports. Tie the main stem loosely as it grows and adjust ties regularly.
Removing Side Shoots
Side shoots grow between the main stem and leaf joints. Remove these regularly to keep plants growing as a single stem.
Pinching out side shoots when small prevents plants becoming bushy and helps direct energy into fruit production.
Watering Tigerella Tomatoes
Consistent watering is essential for good fruit quality.
Water deeply and regularly, keeping soil or compost evenly moist. Avoid letting plants dry out completely, followed by heavy watering, as this can cause fruit splitting.
Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves to reduce disease risk.
During hot weather, greenhouse and container-grown plants may need watering daily.
Feeding Tigerella Tomatoes
Once flowers appear and the first fruits begin to form, start feeding with a high-potassium tomato feed.
Feed weekly, increasing frequency slightly for container-grown plants. Balanced feeding supports good colour development, flavour, and steady cropping.
Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
Flowering and Pollination
Tigerella tomatoes are self-pollinating, but good conditions improve fruit set.
In greenhouses, gently tap plants or supports on warm days to release pollen. Good ventilation and stable temperatures also improve pollination success.
Cold nights or extreme heat can reduce fruit set.
Harvesting Tigerella Tomatoes
Tigerella tomatoes are ready to harvest when fully red with clear yellow striping and slightly soft to the touch.
Harvest fruits regularly to encourage continued cropping. Fully ripened fruits have the best balance of flavour and acidity.
Under good conditions, Tigerella tomatoes can crop from early summer through to early autumn.
Common Problems with Tigerella Tomatoes
Fruit Splitting
Usually caused by irregular watering. Maintain consistent moisture levels to prevent sudden swelling of fruits.
Yellowing Leaves
Some yellowing of lower leaves is normal as plants age. Widespread yellowing may indicate nutrient deficiency or watering issues.
Poor Fruit Set
Often caused by low temperatures, poor ventilation, or excessive heat. Improve airflow and maintain stable conditions.
Tomato Blight
Tigerella tomatoes are not blight-resistant. Reduce risk by improving airflow, avoiding wet foliage, and removing affected leaves promptly.
Growing Tigerella Tomatoes Outdoors in the UK
Tigerella tomatoes are well suited to outdoor growing due to their early cropping habit.
Choose a sunny, sheltered position with good airflow. Protect plants from prolonged rain if possible, and remove lower leaves to reduce disease risk.
In cooler or wetter summers, greenhouse or polytunnel growing offers more reliable harvests.
Saving Seeds from Tigerella Tomatoes
Tigerella tomatoes are open-pollinated, making seed saving possible.
To save seed, allow fruits to fully ripen. Scoop out seeds, ferment briefly in water, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely before storage.
Label seeds clearly and store in a cool, dry place.
When to Stop Tigerella Tomato Plants Growing
Towards late summer, usually around August, pinch out the growing tip above the final truss you want to ripen.
This directs energy into ripening existing fruit rather than producing new flowers that will not mature before temperatures drop.
Remove flowers and very small green fruits as autumn approaches.
Tips for Best Results
• Grow plants in full sun
• Water consistently
• Feed regularly once fruiting begins
• Remove side shoots frequently
• Improve airflow around plants
• Harvest fruits fully ripe
Regular care makes a noticeable difference to both yield and flavour.
Final Thoughts
Tigerella tomatoes are a fantastic choice for gardeners who want something a little different. Their striking striped fruits, early harvests, and refreshing flavour make them stand out from standard red tomato varieties.
With correct sowing, steady watering, regular feeding, and proper training, Tigerella tomatoes can produce abundant crops that look as good as they taste. For gardeners seeking a productive, visually appealing tomato with great flavour, Tigerella remains a classic and highly rewarding variety.