Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers

Growing cherry tomatoes in containers is similar to growing other tomatoes in pots – or other container gardening, for that matter. It’s easy and fun. Beginners can grow cherry tomatoes in pots with great success! There are a few special pieces of information to know about growing cherry tomatoes in pots – and a couple of myths to dispel.

Myths about growing cherry tomatoes in containers and pots

Myth #1: Cherry tomatoes are small, so they grow best in containers

The first part is true: cherry tomatoes are small (especially when compared with beefsteak tomatoes!)

But not all cherry tomato plants are small.

Some cherry tomato varieties can grow to be 4-6 feet tall. Certain cherry tomato varieties flourish in containers. Others grow best in the garden. Some cultivars can grow equally well both places.

Myth #2: It doesn’t matter which cherry tomato variety I choose for my container

It matters a great deal. Not all cherry tomato varieties will flourish in containers.

How do you know which variety to select? It depends on the container you’re using.

If you’re planting cherry tomatoes in baskets, choose varieties suitable for hanging containers and that have shallow root systems. Check out best tomato varieties for baskets to see what types of cherry tomatoes have shallow root systems.

If you’re planting cherry tomatoes in containers or pots, you have more choices. Find out best tomato varieties for small containers and best tomato varieties for large containers. And choose your tomato containers with care, too!

Myth #3: Cherry tomatoes ripen all at once, so I can’t enjoy them throughout the season

Many cherry tomato varieties are determinate, which means their fruit ripens within a short time frame (usually 2-3 weeks.) However, some varieties tare indeterminate. They will continue to produce fruit until frost. You can ensure a long cherry tomato harvest from your containers when you plant different varieties – either determinate or indeterminate – in different containers. Each variety will ripen and be ready for picking on its own schedule, providing you with delicious cherry tomatoes for a long time.

Remember these important tips when growing cherry tomatoes in containers

Choose a big enough pot. Larger is better than smaller.
Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes. Over watering can drown your plant. (Check out this wonderful selection of tomato containers offered by Garden.com.)
Plant purchased seedlings or seedlings you’ve started indoors. Don’t sow seeds directly into your containers – germination and development will take too long. Starting with seedlings will shorten time needed for tomatoes to mature.
Stake the tomato when you plant the seedlings. (You don’t need to stake basket or hanging tomatoes.)
Try companion plants in the same pot as your cherry tomato to protect it from pests.
Give your cherry tomato at least 6-8 hours of sun a day.
Check the soil daily. Too dry will bake out the plant. Too wet without proper drainage will rot its roots. Keep soil evenly moist. One good way to keep cherry tomatoes in pots adequately watered is to use either a deck irrigation kit or a drip irrigation kit for container gardening.
Fertilize containers regularly to maximize growth.
Harvest and enjoy!