Tomato - Wooly Kate

Minimum Seed Count: 15

One touch and you'll understand how this tomato got its name! Woolly Kate is one of the most unusual tomato varieties in the world, featuring soft, fuzzy leaves and stems that feel almost like velvet. Developed from naturally occurring wild tomato genetics, this rare variety combines a unique appearance with excellent garden performance. The compact plants produce flavorful red tomatoes while their silvery, wool-covered foliage makes them a conversation piece long before the first fruit ripens.

Plant Details

• Species: Solanum lycopersicum
• Plant Type: Dwarf to semi-dwarf tomato
• Days to Maturity: 75–85 days from transplant
• Fruit Color: Red
• Fruit Size: Small to medium slicing tomatoes
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy plants with distinctive fuzzy foliage

Growing Guide

Starting Seeds

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost.
• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix.
• Maintain soil temperatures between 70–80°F.
• Germination typically occurs within 5–10 days.

Transplanting

• Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before planting outdoors.
• Transplant after all danger of frost has passed.
• Space plants 24–36 inches apart.

Growing Conditions

• Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)
• Rich, well-drained soil
• Consistent watering throughout the growing season
• Mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weeds

Care

• Support plants with stakes or cages if needed.
• Fertilize regularly for strong growth and fruit production.
• Provide good airflow around plants to help reduce disease pressure.

Harvesting

• Harvest tomatoes when they reach a full red color and give slightly to gentle pressure.
• Pick regularly to encourage continued production.
• Enjoy fresh, sliced, or in your favorite recipes.

History

Woolly Kate was developed by tomato breeder Dr. Tom Wagner, who worked with wild tomato species carrying naturally fuzzy foliage traits. The goal was to create tomatoes with unique ornamental appeal while maintaining good fruit quality and garden performance. The result is a variety unlike almost anything else available to home gardeners, with soft, woolly leaves that make it instantly recognizable.