Growing the largest tomato is a celebrated competition among gardeners, where the measure of “biggest” almost always refers to the fruit’s total weight. This quest to produce immense specimens represents a blend of horticultural skill and genetic potential. Understanding the varieties and methods involved helps distinguish between tomatoes that are simply large and those that can shatter world records. The search for ultimate size starts with selecting the right seed and specialized cultivation practices.
The Current Record Holders
The ‘Domingo’ is the variety most recently associated with the world’s heaviest tomato record, a cultivar specifically bred for enormous size. A specimen grown by Dan Sutherland in Walla Walla, Washington, was officially recognized by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) on July 19, 2025. This fruit achieved a weight of 16.89 pounds (7.661 kg), which is heavier than most bowling balls. This achievement surpassed a previous record held by the same grower, highlighting the competitive nature of giant vegetable growing.
Before the ‘Domingo’ took the title, the ‘Delicious’ heirloom tomato held the record with a 9-pound, 10.5-ounce (4.385 kg) fruit grown in 2023. The ‘Delicious’ routinely produces fruits between two and three pounds, demonstrating the potential of older varieties under ideal conditions. The regular breaking of records shows that while genetics start the process, intense cultivation pushes a tomato to maximum weight.
Defining Giant Tomato Varieties
The largest tomatoes belong to “Beefsteak” varieties, a term used for fruits that typically weigh one pound or more. These tomatoes are characterized by dense, meaty flesh with a high ratio of pulp and relatively few seed cavities, which contributes significantly to their weight. Most large contenders, including record-setters, are indeterminate varieties, meaning their vines continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the entire season.
Many popular heirloom varieties fall into this classification, often producing fruits four to six inches in diameter. ‘Brandywine’ and ‘Mortgage Lifter’ are classic examples, known for their substantial size and complex flavor profiles. The irregular, sometimes ribbed shape of these fruits distinguishes them from smaller, uniform commercial tomatoes.
Cultivation Techniques for Maximum Weight
Achieving record-breaking size requires manipulating the plant’s growth cycle to divert all energy into a single fruit. A common technique is single-stem pruning, which involves removing the side shoots, or suckers, that form between the main stem and the leaf branches. This practice prevents the plant from expending energy on unnecessary foliage, focusing resources toward the main vine.
Growers also practice fruit-set limitation, allowing only one or two tomatoes to develop per plant, often only one on the entire vine. This is done by selecting the most promising young fruit and pinching off all other flowers and developing tomatoes nearby. The concentration of the plant’s photosynthetic output is then dedicated solely to swelling that chosen fruit.
The fruit size necessitates a specialized feeding and watering regimen. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require consistent moisture, as the fruit is approximately 90% water. While nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, growers switch to fertilizers high in potassium and phosphorus during the fruiting stage to support development and weight gain. Furthermore, a large fruit must be physically supported, often using specialized slings or nets, to prevent the weight from snapping the branch or detaching prematurely.