Tomato Chameleon Seeds

Chameleon is a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) named for its ripening: the 150–250 g fruit turns from green through yellow and orange to red on the vine. The packet holds 10 seeds.

Also known as: Tomato, Tamatar (Hindi), Thakkali (Tamil, Malayalam), Tamata (Telugu), Tomate (Spanish, French, German, Portuguese), Pomodoro (Italian), Domates (Turkish), Pomidor (Polish), Fanqie (Chinese).

Fruit that changes colour as it ripens

Fruit at different stages on one plant gives several colours at once.

• Habit: indeterminate
• Fruit: medium, 150–250 g, smooth-skinned and firm
• Colour sequence: green, yellow, orange, red
• Flavour: sweet with a light tang

Sow 3–6 mm deep in soil at 16–29 °C

Start seed indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Cover it with 3–6 mm of seed-starting mix and keep the soil at 16–29 °C. At 20–30 °C seedlings usually appear in 6–8 days (figure measured with seed sown about 12 mm deep). These are typical values for tomatoes as a species, not a test of this packet.

Planting out and support

Move plants outside after the last frost. Space them 60–90 cm apart in well-drained soil at pH 6.0–6.8 and at least 6–8 hours of direct sun. As an indeterminate variety it keeps growing and fruiting all season, so set a stake or cage at planting. The first ripe fruit comes about 75–85 days after transplanting, counted from planting out rather than from sowing.

What you get

The packet holds 10 seeds of Chameleon. Tomato seed typically stays usable for 4 years or more when kept cool, dark and dry. We do not state a germination percentage for this packet.

FAQ

Which colour means ripe?

Red is the last stage, after green, yellow and orange.

How long from sowing to the first ripe fruit?

Roughly 6–8 weeks of indoor growing before transplanting, then about 75–85 days after planting out.