Taste and Color

• Tomatoes are a fruit that has a savory taste. Different tomato colors are the result of various stages of ripeness, as well as the different breeds of tomatoes. Hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties come in a variety of colors and shapes. Roma tomatoes are more elongated, whereas beefsteak tomatoes are larger. Heirloom tomatoes are known for their different colors, including black, green, yellow and orange.
  
  

Family

• The tomato belongs to the nightshade family. It is a perennial plant, but many home gardeners treat it as an annual plant. The tomato belongs to the same family as the pepper, potato and eggplant. Some plants in the nightshade family are toxic if eaten. The leaves and branches of a tomato plant are toxic if eaten.
  
  

Indeterminate

• Indeterminate tomato plants are also known as vining tomato plants. These plants will produce fruit throughout the entire growing season once the plant has fully matured. The plants will not stop growing taller, and require pruning. Indeterminate plants are usually also heirloom tomato plants.
  
  

Determinate

• Determinate tomato plants have a set growth height. After they reach a certain height, they will stop growing. Determinate tomato plants will set all of their fruit within a short period of time, so there will be an abundance of tomatoes in a very short time frame. After they set their fruit, determinate tomato plants will not produce any more fruit that season. Determinate plants do not need to be pruned as they stop growing after a certain height.