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Gardeners sort the types of tomatoes in two ways at once, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension: by plant growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, and by fruit type, from small cherry and grape tomatoes to large beefsteak fruit and oblong Roma or plum tomatoes. Utah State University Extension adds fruit color and use, and counts more than 4,000 tomato varieties worldwide. This guide explains those groups with University of Minnesota, Clemson and Utah State Extension, then compares raw tomatoes by color and by size with USDA FoodData Central values. For the fruit itself, see our tomatoes guide.
Peptide Labs does not sell foods. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Clemson Cooperative Extension groups tomato cultivars by growth habit (determinate or indeterminate) and by fruit type (cherry and grape, beefsteak, Roma or plum).
- Determinate, or bush-type, plants stop growing and ripen a fixed crop of fruits within a four- to six-week period, University of Minnesota Extension says; indeterminate, or vining, plants keep producing until the weather becomes too cold.
- Clemson says most heirloom cultivars have an indeterminate growth habit and little to no disease resistance.
- USDA weighs one cherry tomato at 17 grams, one plum tomato at 62 grams and one large tomato at 182 grams in SR Legacy data.
- Per 100 grams, raw red tomatoes list about 2,573 micrograms of lycopene in USDA data and raw green tomatoes 0, while green tomatoes list more vitamin C.
Types of tomatoes by growth habit
Clemson Cooperative Extension says there are hundreds of tomato cultivars, and the first split is how the plant grows. Seed catalogs and Extension cultivar lists mark each one D or I.
- Determinate (bush-type): University of Minnesota Extension says the top growing point of a bush-type plant ends with flowers and fruit, that the plants typically reach 24 to 30 inches in height, and that they produce a fixed crop of fruits that ripen within a four- to six-week period. Clemson adds that most early-ripening cultivars are determinate.
- Indeterminate (vining): Most tomato varieties are vining, according to Minnesota Extension; the growing point grows continually, flowers and fruit form on the side branches, and the vines reach three to five feet long, sometimes more. Clemson says fruit production may continue until the first frost.
- Semi-determinate: Utah State University Extension lists this third plant-size class, and says determinate and semi-determinate types have a more concentrated fruit set and maturity.
The habit decides how the plant is grown more than how the fruit tastes. Minnesota Extension says bush-type plants do not need pruning, staking or trellising, suit small plots and containers, and give a large harvest at once for canning, while vining plants need cages, stakes or trellises.
Tomato varieties by fruit type
Clemson Cooperative Extension describes three fruit groups, and Utah State University Extension sorts fruit size into cherry, pear, plum and large.
| Fruit type | Description (Clemson Extension) | Common use (Clemson Extension) |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry and grape | Small, very sweet tomatoes | Often used fresh in salads |
| Beefsteak | Large fruit that tend to be very juicy | Commonly sliced and eaten fresh |
| Roma or plum | Medium-sized, oblong fruit with very meaty interiors and few seeds | Cooking and canning |
Utah State University Extension also groups tomato varieties by color (red, pink, yellow and orange) and by use: fresh, process or dual use. Clemson calls Romas a favorite for cooking and canning, and its cultivar list marks Roma as determinate.
Heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties
Utah State University Extension says many tomato varieties are hybrids but heirloom tomatoes are becoming very popular. In the Clemson Extension cultivar list, Brandywine and Cherokee Purple are marked heirloom, and Clemson notes that most heirloom cultivars have little to no disease resistance and an indeterminate growth habit.
Disease codes are the other label to read. University of Minnesota Extension says seed catalogs use codes to show which tomato varieties are resistant or tolerant to different diseases: a resistant variety will not become diseased, while a tolerant one will, but with slower spread and a less serious infection.
Red, orange, yellow and green tomatoes in USDA data
USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy keeps separate raw entries for red, orange, yellow and green tomatoes. The table is per 100 grams, with SR Legacy’s weight for one tomato alongside. Each percent Daily Value (%DV) uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children 4 and older: 28 grams of dietary fiber, 4,700 milligrams of potassium, 90 milligrams of vitamin C and 900 micrograms RAE of vitamin A. Rows are ranked by vitamin C.
| Tomato (USDA FDC ID) | Serving | One tomato (USDA) | Calories | Carbohydrate | Fiber | Potassium | Vitamin C | Vitamin A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green tomato, raw (170456) | 100 g | 1 medium, 123 g | 23 | 5.1 g | 1.1 g (4%) | 204 mg (4%) | 23.4 mg (26%) | 32 mcg RAE (4%) |
| Orange tomato, raw (170502) | 100 g | 1 tomato, 111 g | 16 | 3.2 g | 0.9 g (3%) | 212 mg (5%) | 16.0 mg (18%) | 75 mcg RAE (8%) |
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 100 g | 1 medium, 123 g | 18 | 3.9 g | 1.2 g (4%) | 237 mg (5%) | 13.7 mg (15%) | 42 mcg RAE (5%) |
| Yellow tomato, raw (170096) | 100 g | 1 tomato, 212 g | 15 | 3.0 g | 0.7 g (2%) | 258 mg (5%) | 9.0 mg (10%) | 0 mcg RAE (0%) |
In USDA data, raw green tomatoes list about 23.4 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams against 13.7 for ripe red tomatoes, and orange tomatoes list the most vitamin A, about 75 micrograms RAE. Red tomatoes list about 2,573 micrograms of lycopene per 100 grams in SR Legacy, green tomatoes 0, and SR Legacy has no lycopene value for the orange and yellow entries. Our lycopene guide covers that pigment, and our vitamin C foods list compares tomatoes with other produce.
One cherry, plum, medium or large tomato in USDA data
SR Legacy gives portion weights for the ripe red entry (170457) that line up with the fruit types: one cherry tomato, one plum tomato, one medium and one large tomato, and a cup of cherry tomatoes. The table applies USDA values to each weight; lycopene has no FDA Daily Value, so it has no %DV. Rows are ranked by vitamin C.
| Tomato (USDA FDC ID) | Serving | Calories | Carbohydrate | Fiber | Potassium | Vitamin C | Vitamin A | Lycopene |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 1 large tomato, 182 g | 33 | 7.1 g | 2.2 g (8%) | 431 mg (9%) | 24.9 mg (28%) | 76 mcg RAE (8%) | 4,683 mcg |
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 149 g | 27 | 5.8 g | 1.8 g (6%) | 353 mg (8%) | 20.4 mg (23%) | 63 mcg RAE (7%) | 3,834 mcg |
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 1 medium tomato, 123 g | 22 | 4.8 g | 1.5 g (5%) | 292 mg (6%) | 16.9 mg (19%) | 52 mcg RAE (6%) | 3,165 mcg |
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 1 plum tomato, 62 g | 11 | 2.4 g | 0.7 g (3%) | 147 mg (3%) | 8.5 mg (9%) | 26 mcg RAE (3%) | 1,595 mcg |
| Red tomato, ripe, raw (170457) | 1 cherry tomato, 17 g | 3 | 0.7 g | 0.2 g (1%) | 40 mg (1%) | 2.3 mg (3%) | 7 mcg RAE (1%) | 437 mcg |
These rows apply a single USDA average for ripe red tomatoes, so they show how size changes the amount on the plate, not differences between cultivars; SR Legacy has no entry for a named tomato variety. A large tomato lists about 431 milligrams of potassium in USDA data, against 4,700 milligrams for the FDA Daily Value.
Green tomatoes, ripening and storage
- Green as a type: USDA lists raw green tomatoes as their own entry, and University of Minnesota Extension says fruit that is mature green, fully developed in size but not color, will often ripen satisfactorily, while tomatoes picked truly green will probably never ripen to a good flavor.
- Warmth: Minnesota Extension says warm temperatures matter more than illumination in ripening the fruit, and Clemson Extension says green tomatoes do not need illumination to ripen.
- Refrigeration: Clemson Extension says not to refrigerate green fruit, because this inhibits ripening, and that refrigeration can reduce the flavor of ripe tomatoes and give them a mealy texture.
- Canned products: Minnesota Extension calls tomatoes one of the easiest foods to can at home; for packaged tomato products and our tomato juice guide, the Nutrition Facts label is the figure to read, since USDA raw values do not apply.
Where tomatoes sit among vegetables
University of Minnesota Extension names the tomato Solanum lycopersicum and places it in the potato family with eggplants and peppers; our guide to nightshade vegetables covers that group, along with types of peppers, types of potatoes and eggplant. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, list tomatoes in the red and orange vegetable subgroup and tomatillos with other vegetables; our tomatillo guide explains that husked fruit. For the other common salad crop, see our types of cucumbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of tomatoes?
Clemson Cooperative Extension groups them by growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, and by fruit type: cherry and grape, beefsteak, and Roma or plum.
What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?
University of Minnesota Extension says determinate, or bush-type, plants stop growing and ripen a fixed crop of fruits over a short period, while indeterminate, or vining, plants keep producing until the weather becomes too cold.
Which tomato varieties are used for sauce and canning?
Clemson Extension says Roma or plum tomatoes have meaty interiors and few seeds and calls Romas a favorite for cooking and canning.
Are heirloom tomatoes determinate?
Mostly not: Clemson Extension says most heirloom cultivars have an indeterminate growth habit and little to no disease resistance.
Do yellow and red tomatoes differ in USDA data?
A little: per 100 grams, raw yellow tomatoes list about 9.0 milligrams of vitamin C in USDA data against 13.7 for ripe red tomatoes, and SR Legacy has no lycopene value for the yellow entry.
How much does one cherry tomato weigh?
USDA SR Legacy weighs one cherry tomato at 17 grams and one plum tomato at 62 grams.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a health condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Types of Cucumbers: Slicing, Pickling and Seedless Types, Tomatoes: Nutrition Facts, Lycopene and Are Tomatoes Healthy?, Nightshade Vegetables: List, Nutrition and Are Nightshades Bad for You?, Types of Peppers: Capsicum Species, Scoville Heat and USDA Data.