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Plant directory Yellow Pear Tomato

How to Grow and Care For Yellow Pear Tomato

Yellow Pear Tomato – this adorable heirloom variety is mostly grape-sized with fresh yellow fruit in the shape of teardrop or tiny pears. This tomato has been passed down through generations of gardeners for its sweet flavor, prolific yield, and playful

By Mariam Scott

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Published on June 30, 2025

Yellow Pear Tomato
Yellow Pear Tomato

In this article

Key Takeaways

  • A Charming Heirloom Classic: Yellow Pear Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Yellow Pear’) is an indeterminate heirloom variety prized for its adorable, pear-shaped fruits, sweet flavor, and vigorous growth. It’s ideal for snacking, salads, or container gardens, and produces prolifically all season long.
  • Full Sun and Rich Soil Required: Plant in a location with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight and well-drained, compost-rich loamy soil. Healthy soil and consistent warmth lead to higher yields and sweeter fruit.
  • Support and Pruning Make a Difference: These tomatoes grow tall—up to 8 feet—and need staking or cages for support. Prune suckers and lower leaves regularly to boost airflow, reduce disease, and focus energy on fruit production.
  • Grow Anywhere—Even in Pots or Hanging Baskets: With proper support and regular feeding, Yellow Pear can thrive in large containers or even hanging baskets, making it a versatile and decorative addition to any garden.

Did you know one of the oldest tomatoes still grown today is shaped like a miniature pear—and tastes like sunshine?

Yellow Pear Tomato – (Solanum lycopersicum‘Yellow Pear’) this adorable heirloom variety is mostly grape-sized with fresh yellow fruit in the shape of teardrop or tiny pears. With origins dating back to the 1800s, this tomato has been passed down through generations of gardeners for its sweet flavor, prolific yield, and playful appearance.

Yellow Pear are also attractive on the vine, perfect for snacking, salads or roasting. They are a treat in any vegetable garden, patio or even hanging basket due to their vigorous growth, trailing habit and hundreds of fruits per plant.

Common Name Yellow Pear Tomato
Botanical Name Solanum lycopersicum ‘Yellow Pear’
Type Heirloom indeterminate tomato
Height 5–8 feet with support
Sunlight Requirements Full sun (6–8 hours each day)
Soil Rich, well-draining loam with organic matter
Watering Needs Average; consistent moisture
Hardiness Zones Grown as annual in all zones
Bloom Time Summer

Plant Care

Yellow Pear Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning Yellow Pear Tomatoes will keep on growing and bearing fruit all season long. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or transplant stronger seedlings after nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.

Use tomato cages or trellises to support their sprawling vines, and give them plenty of space to grow.  Once fruiting starts, feed every couple of weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Harvest when fruits are fully yellow and slightly soft to the touch.

Light

Tomatoes are sun lovers. Plant your Yellow Pear in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. You need to have full sun for good growth, more flower production, and the most delicious fruit. In less light, plants may grow leggy and produce fewer tomatoes.

Soil

The soil must be rich and fertile for a healthy tomato plant. Try to use a good loamy soil with high organic matter and high drainage and aim for a pH between 6.0-6.8. Before planting, be sure to mix your soil with compost or aged manure for nutrients and better moisture retention.

Watering

Consistent watering is essential. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, particularly when the fruits begin to develop. Water deeply a few times a week instead of shallow watering every day. Try to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to disease. In very hot weather, you may need to water more often.

Pruning

Pruning helps Yellow Pear Tomatoes stay productive and manageable. 

  • Remove the small shoots (suckers) that grow between the main stem and branches; this directs the plant's energy to fruit growth. 
  • Prune lower leaves that touch the soil to decrease the risk of disease. 
  • As the season goes on, you can also remove excess foliage to improve airflow and sun exposure.

Propagating

Growing new tomato plants from stem cuttings is easy.

  • Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem about 6 inches long.
  • Remove the lower leaves, leaving just a few leaves at the top.
  • Place cutting in either water or moist soil.
  • It will root in about a week, and can be planted.

This is a quick and easy way to grow more tomatoes without starting from seed.

Growing in Pots

Yellow Pear Tomatoes grow well in large containers with proper care.

  • Use a good drainage container with at least 5 gallons in size.
  • Fill with good compost based potting mix.
  • When planting, place a tomato cage or sturdy stake.
  • Put in full sun and water often, pots dry out fast.
  • Container tomatoes require more frequent feeding—apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks when fruit begins to form.

Overwintering

Since Yellow Pear Tomato is a warm-season annual, it won’t survive the frost when grown outside. Harvest remaining fruit before the first frost at the end of the season. You can take cuttings to root indoors, or overwinter a small plant in a sunny indoor spot, though productivity may slow. Most gardeners replant each spring from seed or starter plants.

Blooming

Small yellow flowers bloom on Yellow Pear Tomatoes all summer long, usually starting just 5–7 weeks after planting. These flowers also have the capacity for self-pollination, which is quickly followed by the development of the pear-shaped fruits. They will give you more flowers and, of course, fruit all season long — with regular feeding and full sun.

Common Issues

We love tomatoes, but they are not trouble-free. Like any other tomato variety, Yellow Pears are subject to common issues.

  • Blossom end rot → Caused by inconsistent watering, or lack of calcium.
  • Splitting fruit → Usually results from sudden heavy watering after dry spells.
  • Powdery mildew or blight → these appear in humid conditions. Improve airflow and avoid wetting leaves.
  • Pests → Aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies can be controlled with neem oil or hand-picking.

Keeping your plants pruned, well-fed, and consistently watered goes a long way in preventing issues.

Summary

The Yellow Pear Tomato is a delightful blend of history, flavor, and charm. With bright yellow fruits, sweet taste, and high yields,it’s a favorite among heirloom gardeners and fresh-food lovers alike. This variety is right at home in the ground, in a raised bed, in a patio pot, or in a greenhouse, offering beauty and bounty wherever you plant it.

Easy to grow, productive, and endlessly snackable, Yellow Pear offers the full tomato experience in a fun, compact package. For gardeners seeking a colorful and rewarding crop that stands out from the ordinary—this little pear-shaped gem is a must-grow.

FAQ

Are Yellow Pear Tomatoes good for eating raw?

Yes! They're sweet and mild with low acidity, perfect for snacking, salads, or kids’ lunchboxes.

How tall do they grow?

They're indeterminate vines, and can grow up to 8 feet or more if not pruned—make sure they have support.

Do they need pollinators?

Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but bees and air movement help improve fruit set.

How long from planting to harvest?

From transplant, expect ripe fruit in about 70–80 days.

Is it possible to plant them in a hanging basket?

Yes, with strong support. With its trailing foliage and small, yellow fruit, Yellow Pear makes a fun, ornamental edible for hanging baskets.