Everglades Tomato, Yellow (Solanum pimpinellifolium var.)

Wild Florida Flavor in a Sunshine-Yellow Bite

The Yellow Everglades Tomato is a rare, sunshine-hued twist on one of Florida’s most beloved wild edibles. A golden variant of Solanum pimpinellifolium—also known as the currant tomato—this tiny, flavor-packed fruit thrives where other tomatoes fail. Originally native to Peru and Ecuador, the species has naturalized throughout Florida, where it’s a staple in survival gardens and permaculture projects. The yellow variant produces cascades of marble-sized, sweet-tart tomatoes with a slightly milder flavor than the red form, and it continues to produce even in intense summer heat, humidity, and lower-nutrient soils.

Why Grow It:

• Wild, heat-loving cherry tomato that thrives in Florida and other subtropical zones
• Continues fruiting through extreme summer heat when other tomatoes fade
• Milder, sweet-tart yellow fruit ideal for fresh snacking and salads
• Self-seeding, vining growth perfect for food forests and permaculture
• Low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and pollinator-friendly

Growing Tips:

Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and plenty of space to sprawl or climb. Yellow Everglades Tomatoes tolerate high heat, humidity, and even partial drought once established. No pruning or staking is strictly necessary, but they benefit from trellising in compact spaces. Let them reseed naturally or collect seeds for easy replanting. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce frequency once the plant is mature. Best grown as an annual in most climates but can behave as a perennial in frost-free regions.