Hybrid or heirloom tomato seeds - what's the difference and which is right for you?

Hybrid tomato seeds are basically a cross between two types of tomato plant, which can give the fruit specific qualities such as tougher skin and more resistance to tomato disease. Heirloom tomato seeds are varieties that have been around for many years and are not created by crossing other plants. Tomato seeds are available in both types, but heirloom tomato seeds are probably the more popular of the two.

Heirloom tomato seeds tend to be more flavorful and tender, but they have a shorter shelf life than other tomato seeds. Hybrids were originally created by the commercial agriculture industry because they are better suited to being transported to the stores and have a longer shelf life.

Choose your tomato seeds – whether hybrid or heirloom tomato seeds – according to your needs.

If you want a lower-maintenance garden, hybrid tomato seeds might be better for you. They tend to be more resistant to tomato disease and produce fruit that will last longer once picked. Heirloom tomato seeds, on the other hand, will give you more flavorful, tender and unique tomato plants (they are available in a range of colors and shapes) but they need more care to avoid disease, and the fruit will not last as long once picked.

There are various sizes of tomato seeds in both hybrid and heirloom. You can get smaller plants, that will not need any kind of support or larger plants that will need support (stakes or tomato cages). You can get cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and many other sizes to suit your tastes. Heirloom tomato seeds also have many unique varieties, even in colors like orange and white.

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