Summer is not complete until you bite into a fresh, juicy cherry tomato. Fortunately, these little gems are simple to grow, and their compact size makes them ideal for pots, small gardens, or even balcony spaces. All they really need is plenty of sunshine, nutrient-rich soil, fertilizer, and consistent watering.
There are many types of tomatoes, but most home gardeners can’t resist adding at least one plant of tasty cherry tomatoes. If you’re learning how to grow tomato plants, they’re an excellent choice because they mature quickly and produce generously. Cherry tomatoes are among the earliest varieties to harvest. Plus, their natural sweetness shines when you let them ripen right on the vine.
Cherry Tomato Plant Care
Light
Sunlight plays the biggest role in healthy cherry tomato growth. These plants thrive best when they receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil
Cherry tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. The soil should be well-draining, rich, and loamy. A soil test helps you figure out both nutrient content and pH. If your garden soil feels heavy or holds too much water, raised beds or containers are a smarter option.
Water
Consistent, deep watering is key. Don’t let the soil dry out entirely, especially when the plants are forming fruit. Even moisture prevents problems like blossom-end rot, while overwatering can cause the tomatoes to crack. A drip irrigation system works best since overhead watering encourages diseases like blight.
Temperature and Humidity
Tomatoes dislike cold. Only plant them once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. If you’ve started seedlings indoors, gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Humidity usually isn’t a big issue. But in damp, humid weather, leaves tend to stay wet longer, creating a perfect environment for fungal diseases. Good airflow around the plants helps reduce this risk.
Fertilizer
At planting time, use a tomato-specific fertilizer and mix in some compost to give the young plant a boost. Keep feeding the plants throughout the season, following the instructions on your fertilizer label.
Pollination
Tomato blossoms can pollinate themselves, but bees and bumblebees are often drawn to the flowers, helping the process along.
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes in Pots
Many compact cherry tomato varieties are specially developed for container gardening, so choose one of those if you can. When growing tomatoes in pots, size matters. A spacious container gives the roots room to spread. Go for one that’s at least 12 inches deep and wide. Even a 5-gallon plastic bucket works fine if you drill multiple drainage holes at the bottom.
Position your container next to a trellis, stake, or any sturdy support to keep the vines upright as they grow. Since potted soil tends to dry out faster than garden beds, be ready to water often, sometimes every day during hot summer days.
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes From Seed
Learning how to grow cherry tomatoes from seed is simple. However, unless you plan on raising a large batch of the same variety, or want to try rare types that you can only find through seed catalogs. Purchasing strong, ready-to-plant seedlings from a local nursery is often the easier option.
If you are starting from seed, sow them about ¼ inch deep in a container filled with a seed-starting mix. Keep the container in a warm location with bright, indirect light, and maintain even moisture without making the soil soggy. Seeds usually sprout within five to 10 days. Once seedlings are established, harden them off gradually before moving them outdoors, and only transplant when nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.
Potting and Repotting Cherry Tomatoes
For container-grown cherry tomatoes, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well. Some blends are specially formulated for tomatoes and work perfectly. It’s best to plant directly into a large enough container that can support the plant at full size. This way, you can avoid repotting later, since tomato roots dislike being disturbed.
Propagating Cherry Tomatoes
While most gardeners start tomatoes from seed or buy young plants from nurseries, you can also propagate them from cuttings. This method is a great way to clone a tomato variety you love, whether for its flavor, vigor, or high yields. The ideal time for propagation is late spring, when the parent plant is actively growing.
Here’s how to do it:
- Select a healthy sucker growing from the main stem that has no flowers or buds. Cut a 6- to 8-inch section.
- Remove the leaves from the lower section of the cutting.
- Place the cutting into a small container filled with moistened, soilless potting mix.
- Place the container in a spot with bright but indirect sunlight.
- Keep the mix evenly moist (not waterlogged). Within one to two weeks, roots should begin to form.
- Gently tug on the cutting. If it resists, it has rooted and can be transplanted into the garden.
