They can be planted successfully from the coast through the inland valleys. It is a familiar sight in many major southern California plantings. Perhaps better known but not as widely used is A. Americana, or the Century plant. Its six foot long, hard, bulky leaves have hooked spines along the edges and a sharp spine at the tip which can be a menace in the garden. They are hardier than A. attenuata.
Some varieties have white or yellow striped leaves.
There are basically two growth patterns of tomatoes - indeterminate and determinate. Indeterminate varieties grow, blossom and produce fruit through out the season until killed by frost. The continuous growth produces many main stems - all capable of flowering and producing fruit. Because of the abundant, lush growth, pruning is recommended. To support the plant growth, holding the fruit off the soil an indeterminate plant is trained to a stake for vertical, upward growth.