Mr. Stripey Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Mr. Stripey'

vegetable

A large beefsteak heirloom with vivid red-and-yellow streaked skin and sweet, low-acid bicolor flesh inside. Fruits average 1 to 2 pounds and are named for their colorful exterior markings. Low-acid profile makes this a favorite for people who find standard tomatoes too tart. Stunning on a caprese platter.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Basil — Repels thrips and whiteflies; said to improve tomato flavor
• French Marigold — Suppresses root-knot nematodes in the soil
• Borage — Attracts pollinators and parasitic wasps that prey on hornworms
• Parsley — Draws hoverflies that prey on aphids

❌ Keep away from

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Tomato hornworm →

  Inspect undersides of leaves at dusk; handpick or use Bacillus thuringiensis spray

• Cracking →

  Mulch deeply and water on a consistent schedule to prevent rapid swings in soil moisture

• Aphids →

  Strong water blast; introduce ladybugs; insecticidal soap if colonies persist

• Blossom end rot →

  Consistent watering and calcium-containing fertilizer; avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen

🌾 Harvest & storage

Pick when the red-and-yellow striping is vivid and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Low-acid tomatoes show fewer visual ripeness cues than acidic types — the squeeze test is your best guide. Eat fresh within 2 days at room temperature for best flavor.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and lycopene. Bicolor flesh provides both red lycopene and yellow zeaxanthin antioxidants. Lower acidity may be better tolerated by people with acid reflux.

⚠️ Toxicity & safety

Eat the ripe fruit only. Tomato leaves and stems (and large amounts of very unripe green fruit) contain solanine-type compounds and are not for eating.