Choosing between heirloom and F1 tomato seeds is one of the most common decisions UK gardeners face each season. Both types have their place, but they are bred for very different reasons and suit different growing priorities.
This guide explains the key differences between heirloom and F1 tomatoes, how each performs in UK conditions, and which option may be best for your garden, allotment or greenhouse.
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties that have been grown and passed down for many years. When grown under the right conditions, they produce seed that can be saved and sown again, growing true to type.
Many heirloom tomatoes were selected long before modern breeding programmes, with flavour, reliability and local performance as the main priorities.
Examples of heirloom tomatoes available from Growseed include Moneymaker, Gardener’s Delight and Black Russian.
F1 tomatoes are hybrids created by crossing two carefully selected parent plants. The first generation (F1) produces very uniform plants with predictable size, yield and disease resistance.
F1 tomatoes are often chosen for commercial growing or where consistency and maximum yields are the priority. However, seed saved from F1 plants will not grow true to type.
An example of an F1 tomato variety sold by Growseed is Crokini F1, bred for uniform cherry tomatoes and reliable cropping.
For many UK gardeners, heirloom tomatoes offer the best balance of flavour, performance and long-term value. Varieties such as St Pierre and Ailsa Craig perform well in greenhouses and provide dependable harvests without the need to buy new seed each year.
F1 tomatoes can still be useful where space is limited or disease pressure is high, but for most home growers, heirloom varieties provide more flexibility and enjoyment.
Many growers choose to grow both types. Heirloom tomatoes can be used for flavour and seed saving, while F1 varieties offer insurance in challenging seasons.
For example, pairing Gardener’s Delight with a reliable F1 cherry allows growers to compare performance while still enjoying traditional flavour.
Heirloom tomatoes continue to appeal to UK growers because they offer more than just yield. They provide flavour, diversity and independence from buying seed every season.
For gardeners who enjoy saving seed, selecting their best plants and growing tomatoes with real character, heirloom varieties remain an essential part of tomato growing.