The oxheart tomato is known for its large, fleshy fruits. We reveal how you too can enjoy a rich harvest and what special features you should bear in mind when planting ox heart tomatoes.
Oxheart tomatoes are real favorites in many home gardens because they are easy to care for and their fruits can be gigantic. In this profile we present the special tomato.
Oxheart Tomato: Profile
| Fruit | Beefsteak tomato; different colors |
| Flavour | aromatic, sweet, slightly acidic |
| Maturity | mid to late |
| Growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| Location | Greenhouse, sheltered field, pot (south side) |
Origin and history of the tomato
The special shape of the ox heart tomato probably originated in Russia at the end of the 19th century, where it was first mentioned. It later made its way to the USA, where it is still widely grown today. The ox heart tomato is also very popular in France and Italy, so you can often find this fruit at markets there.
Characteristics and taste of the 'Oxenherz' beefsteak tomato
Ox heart tomatoes, as the name suggests, are reminiscent of ox hearts in shape and size. They belong to the beefsteak tomatoes and their fruits reach a weight of 100 to over 1000 grams. There are heart-shaped, smooth fruits, but also those with strong ribbing that have many folds. As with many beefsteak tomatoes, there are only a few seeds inside. Most varieties of the oxheart tomato are seed-proof, but newer breeds on the market are sometimes hybrids from which no seeds can be obtained. When choosing, pay attention to seed-resistant varieties, so you can get your own varieties. Check out our special article for tips and tricks on how to get tomato seeds.
The plant itself often looks bettersickly, because some varieties twist their leaves or let them droop conspicuously. But don't be fooled by the appearance, because this strange-looking appearance is quite normal. Ripe fruits soften quickly and should therefore be eaten or processed quickly. The oxheart tomato tastes aromatic and sweet, but also has a slight acidity.
The best varieties of oxheart tomato
Ox heart tomatoes are a pleasure to look at and taste good. We introduce you to the five best varieties for your garden.
- ‘Anna Russian’ produces heart-shaped, large fruits that turn a deep pink when ripe. The shoulders of the fruit turn slightly beige. It has a mild taste and is ideal for processing in sauces.
- The ‘Bulgarian Ox Heart’ is a classic when it comes to colour. In summer, numerous pink-red, heart-shaped fruits adorn the robust tomato plants, which can reach a height of 1.80 meters.
- 'Coeur de Boeuf' is probably the best-known variety among the ox heart tomatoes. It comes from France and produces heavily ribbed, light red fruits from mid-July. It reaches a height of up to 200 centimeters and is also suitable for outdoors with a rain cover.
- The variety ‘White Ox Heart’ shines in a light yellow color and, like most almost white tomatoes, tastes very fruity and sweet. It grows up to 200 centimeters high and produces very good yields in the greenhouse.
- 'Orange Russian' is a heart-shaped, beautifully marbled orange and red oxheart tomato that is most at home in the greenhouse. The fruits weigh up to 300 grams and taste wonderfully fruity-sweet and spicy.
Planting oxheart tomatoes: tips for outdoors and in pots
Oxheart tomatoes need a lot of warmth and should only be left outdoors with rain protection. However, they also feel very comfortable in the pot on the south side. Fill the plant pot with potting soil specially adapted to tomatoes, such as our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil. It provides the seedlings with all the nutrients they need for a good start to the season and ensures a bountiful harvest.
The best care for 'Ochsenherz' tomatoes
With oxheart tomatoes, only one shoot is allowed to grow upwards and all side shoots are removed. Due to the heavy weight of the fruit, the tall plants need a stick to support them. With a primarily organicLong-term fertilizers, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, provide the plants with all the important nutrients in the long term. The liquid Plantura organic tomato and vegetable fertilizer is also suitable for cultivation in pots. This is applied three weeks after planting once a week in the specified dosage.
Use oxheart tomatoes
The large beefsteak tomatoes are then ripe from the end of July to the beginning of October. Oxheart tomatoes are excellent for salads, but they are also delicious when used in soups and sauces.
Our tip: The large ox heart tomatoes are particularly tasty when they are stuffed and gratinated in the oven!
In addition to yellow and red tomatoes, there are also black and blue tomatoes. Find out more in our special article.