How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes - The Complete Guide

Cherry tomatoes are a rewarding vegetable to grow at home and an excellent addition to any garden. Below we share the basics of growing cherry tomatoes in a home garden, as well as common mistakes and considerations.

When to Plant Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are not a frost tolerant vegetable. This means the best time to plant them is mid to late spring, once there is no longer a chance of frost in your area.

If you live in the U.S., check out the Farmer’s Almanac or the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zones for more help regarding frost and the best dates for planting in your area.

How to Plant Cherry Tomatoes

Plant your cherry tomato seeds directly in the soil of your garden or container at a depth of 0.5 inches (1 centimetre). Seeds can be planted outside or you can germinate them indoors and transplant them later. Typically, cherry tomato seeds take about 1 - 2 weeks to fully germinate.

If transplanting, the best time to move cherry tomato plants outside is when they reach 3 - 4 inches (7 - 10 centimetres) tall or have at least 3 - 4 true leaves.

When planting cherry tomatoes in the garden, it’s best to space them 2 - 3 feet (75 centimetres) away from the nearest plant.

Interested in Container Gardening?

Join the Garden Auntie newsletter!

Get expert tips, tricks, and inspiration for successful container gardening no matter the environment. Create a stunning and thriving garden, even in small spaces!

How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes in Pots

The key to caring for cherry tomatoes in containers is well draining soil and a pot big enough for their root system. Aim for a pot that is roughly 1,155 cubic inches (18,927 cubic centimetres) in size. Five-gallon buckets are a great container option for cherry tomatoes. And they’re cheap too!

For more in depth information, check out our full guide on growing cherry tomatoes in containers.

How Long do Cherry Tomatoes Take to Grow

On average, it takes about 60 - 100 days for planted cherry tomato seeds to develop into a fully mature plant.

How Big do Cherry Tomatoes Get

Typically, cherry tomato plants reach about 3 - 4 feet (or 1 metre) in height. Though this can fluctuate depending on the variety.

How Much Sunlight do Cherry Tomatoes Need

Cherry tomatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day in order to thrive. Be careful to place your plants in an area that receives adequate sunlight. Otherwise, they may not mature properly.

How Much Water do Cherry Tomatoes Need

Cherry tomatoes like well draining soil that is kept consistently moist, but not wet or soggy. The amount of water it takes to achieve this effect will differ depending on the type of soil available to you.

Be sure to water your cherry tomatoes on a consistent, steady schedule. This will ensure the plant yields a healthy, uniform crop.

If growing your cherry tomatoes in pots, they will need to be watered more frequently than cherry tomatoes planted directly in the garden.

You will know your cherry tomatoes are in need of more water when their leaves wilt, yellow, and/or the plant begins to droop. But be careful, this can also happen if the plant receives too much water. This is a difficult balance for most novice gardeners. But the more time you spend with your cherry tomatoes, the better you’ll be able to gauge how thirsty they are.

How to Harvest Cherry Tomatoes

Leaving a short bit of stem attached, cut the tomato from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors. You can also try removing them by hand, but avoid this method if you get a lot of resistance.