🍅 Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato

Rich, complex heirloom flavor — deeply ribbed Italian heirloom with bold, old-world character

Everything you need to know at a glance:

🍅 Quick Overview

Italian Heirloom | Open-Pollinated | Indeterminate

  • Type:  Open-pollinated
  • Category:  Standard Tomato
  • Growth Habit: Indeterminate
  • Height: 5–7 feet
  • Days to harvest: ~70–85
  • Container friendly: Yes (10–15 gallon recommended; performs best in ground)
  • Indoor friendly: No

🌟 What Makes Costoluto Fiorentino Special

A true conversation starter at the market thanks to its dramatic, old-world shape.

Costoluto Fiorentino is a classic Italian heirloom tomato known for its deeply ribbed, almost sculpted shape and rich, traditional tomato flavor.

Unlike smooth slicers, its dramatic pleating gives it a striking, old-world appearance that stands out instantly at the market.

This variety is especially prized for sauces, roasting, and fresh slicing, offering a balanced flavor with a touch of acidity that shines in the kitchen.

🌱 Is This Variety Right for You?

  • You want a classic Italian heirloom tomato
  • You value bold, unique appearance (deep ribbing/pleating)
  • You plan to use tomatoes for sauces, roasting, or slicing
  • You want something eye-catching for market or garden
  • You enjoy rich, balanced tomato flavor with slight acidity

🍅 Flavor & Fruit

  • Fruit size: Medium to large (6–10 oz typical)
  • Color: Deep red
  • Shape: Flattened, heavily ribbed / pleated
  • Flavor: Rich, classic tomato flavor with balanced acidity
  • Best uses: Sauces, roasting, slicing, fresh eating

Costoluto Fiorentino delivers bold, traditional tomato flavor with a striking, deeply ribbed appearance—making it as beautiful as it is delicious.

🌱 Plant Details

  • Plant size: Standard (indeterminate)
  • Leaf type: Regular leaf
  • Height: 5–7 feet
  • Growth habit: Vigorous, indeterminate vine
  • Support needed: Benefits from strong support due to medium-sized fruit and vigorous growth
  • Best grown in: In-ground gardens, raised beds, or large containers (10+ gallon)
  • Produces uniquely shaped fruit that may vary from tomato to tomato—no two look exactly the same.

☀️ Growing Tips

  • Sun: Full sun (6–8+ hours).
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
  • Container size: 10–15+ gallon recommended
  • Harvest: Harvest when striping is well developed and fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure.

Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

Pruning can help improve airflow and fruit size, especially with this variety’s dense, ribbed fruit structure.

🌿 Growing Considerations

  • Indeterminate plants grow continuously and will need regular support
  • Pruning can help improve airflow and manage plant size
  • Expect continuous harvests throughout the season rather than one large flush
  • Color develops best in warm conditions with full sun exposure

⚠️ Common Issues & Fixes

  • Wilting midday? Check soil moisture.
    Containers can dry out quickly. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly — Costoluto Fiorentino will usually perk back up fast.
  • Color not developing well? Needs heat and full sun. Striping becomes more pronounced as fruit ripens.
    Ensure plants receive full sun for best color and flavor development.
  • Leaves turning yellow? Often caused by overwatering.
    Let the soil dry slightly between waterings and make sure your container has good drainage.
  • Plant getting too large?
    Indeterminate varieties grow continuously and can become large if not managed. Use pruning and proper support to control size and improve airflow.
  • Slow growth? May need more light.
    Costoluto Fiorentino thrives in full sun. If growing indoors, ensure strong grow lights or a very bright window.
  • Low fruit production? Check light and feeding.
    Insufficient sunlight or lack of nutrients can reduce yield. Increase light and use a balanced fertilizer as needed.
  • Fruit looks green when ripe? This is normal — look for striping, slight softness, and background color shift.
    Costoluto Fiorentino often retains green tones even when fully ripe.
  • Leaves curling slightly? Often due to heat or watering inconsistency.
    Keep watering consistent and avoid letting the plant fully dry out too often.
  • Flavor seems mild? Improves significantly when fully ripened on the vine.
    Allow fruit to fully develop color and soften slightly before harvesting.

Plants are resilient — small adjustments usually fix it.

🌱 Want to grow Costoluto Fiorentino yourself?

Available as seedlings at the Overland Park Farmers Market.

Follow along at kc-bygg.com for updates, tips, and seasonal availability.

🌱 From KC Backyard Garden Guy

This Costoluto Fiorentino plant was selected for strong growth, beautiful fruit development, and reliable production.

It’s a standout variety that consistently draws attention—perfect for gardeners who want something both productive and visually unique.

🌻 Grown locally by KC Backyard Garden Guy
📍 Kansas City area
🌐 kc-bygg.com