Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is 'Green Zebra' Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Green Zebra')cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

Also called Green Zebra striped tomato.

More about 'green zebra' tomato

About 'Green Zebra' Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Green Zebra' · also called Green Zebra striped tomato · edible

'Green Zebra' is an indeterminate slicing tomato bred in the 1980s, ripening to amber-green with jade stripes and a bright, zingy, slightly tart flavour. Because it stays green when ripe, judge readiness by a yellow blush and slight give. Vines crop reliably mid to late season and need full sun, steady moisture, and staking.

Cold limit: USDA Warm-season annual in zones 3-11; perennial only in frost-free zones 10-11 · RHS H2 (tender; protect from frost) (18-29°C)

What 'green zebra' tomato's hardiness rating actually means

Hardiness works differently for 'green zebra' tomato: it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". Its RHS rating of H2 means: Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot. On the US scale that maps to USDA Warm-season annual in zones 3-11; perennial only in frost-free zones 10-11 — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

Concretely, for 'green zebra' tomato as it gets too cold:

Light frost (around 0 to −2 °C) damages or kills tender summer crops outright; cold-hardy types take a few degrees of frost.
The plant does not "survive winter" — its life cycle simply ends, by design, when frost arrives or it finishes cropping.
A surprise late spring frost can also kill young transplants set out too early, before the season even starts.

Can 'green zebra' tomato go outside or overwinter — and where?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost.
In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window.
Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when 'green zebra' tomato can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H2 figure above.

Frost protection for borderline 'green zebra' tomato

'Green Zebra' Tomato is right on a hardiness edge in many gardens, so if you are pushing it, these measures buy it the margin it needs:

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks.
Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost.
Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.

'Green Zebra' Tomato hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is 'green zebra' tomato cold hardy?

Hardiness works differently for 'green zebra' tomato: it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". A seasonal crop, not a perennial. 'Green Zebra' Tomato is grown Warm-season annual in zones 3-11; perennial only in frost-free zones 10-11; you sow after the last frost and harvest before the first one, then start again next year.

What is the minimum temperature 'green zebra' tomato can survive?

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

What hardiness zone is 'green zebra' tomato?

'Green Zebra' Tomato is rated USDA Warm-season annual in zones 3-11; perennial only in frost-free zones 10-11 and RHS H2 — Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot.

Can 'green zebra' tomato survive winter outside?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost. In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window. Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

How do I protect 'green zebra' tomato from frost?

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks. Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost. Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.