11 Tips for Growing Terrific Tomatoes in Pots (2024)

Gardening

Vegetables

Your container tomatoes are about to look great

• 01 of 11

  Choose a Really Large Pot

  

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  Tomatoes need a large container to thrive, due to their expansive root systems. Plant tomatoes in a pot big enough so that the tomato plant receives ample water and nutrients during the growing season.

  • For each plant, you need a container that is at least 1 square foot or about two gallons.
  • A larger container of around 2 square feet is better. A 5-gallon bucket, easily found at hardware stores, is the perfect size for healthy tomato plant growth.
  • Avoid black containers. Black plastic can absorb and hold a lot of heat, which can cause roots to be overly warm, leading to stunted plants.
  • Plastic or fiberglass pots are a better choice than clay pots, because they don't dry out as quickly. Dry soil is a huge detriment to fruit production.

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• 02 of 11

  Use a Container With Good Drainage

  

  Make sure the container has good drainage so that the roots remain moist but not soggy. If you use a 5-gallon bucket, drill holes in the bottom before filling it with potting soil to allow water drainage.

  If the pot you are using has large drainage holes, use a piece of a broken pot, a piece of window screening, or a paper coffee filter to cover it. This way the water can drain out, but the soil won't end up all over the patio.

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• 03 of 11

  Use the Right Potting Soil

  

  Soil from your yard or garden is too heavy for container gardening and may contain disease organisms. Use a fluffy, light potting mix that allows roots to freely grow and helps moisture and air penetrate down to them.

  Fill yourpot with high-quality potting soil to about an inch from the top rim.
  

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• 04 of 11

  Group Containers Together

  

  While the leaves need lots of sun, the root zone of tomatoes can get too hot if the containers are exposed to too much sun. By grouping them, you can provide some shade for the roots and make watering easier.
  

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• 05 of 11

  Plant Tomatoes Deeply

  

  When transplanting a tomato seedling, remove the bottom set of leaves and plant deep enough that most of the stem is buried.

  The tomato plant will produce roots along the buried part of its stem, developing a strong root system and sturdier plants.
  

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• 06 of 11

  Add a Support System

  

  Both determinate and indeterminate container tomato plants will benefit from a support structure. For indeterminate tomato plants, the structure is necessary to support the vining behavior and the weight of the fruit.

  The support system should be added to the container when you plant each tomato. Waiting until the plant is larger may disturb the growing roots. If you are growing container tomatoes in the yard, the cage can be inserted into the soil outside of the pot.

  • Use a traditional tomato cage or stakes for determinate types. Choose a cage about 15 to 20 inches high and 10 inches wide. For larger breeds, select a cage at least 38 inches high and 14 inches wide.
  • For indeterminant plants, you can make supports or purchase cages to elevate and tie off the stems. Since indeterminant plants grow so large, use a cage at least 38 inches high and 14 inches wide.
  • As the tomato plant grows, secure the stems with a piece of twine, plant ribbon, or plant wire to the support.
    

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  See Also

  Field tomatoes

• 07 of 11

  Add a Layer of Mulch

  

  Once the tomato seedling is planted, add a 1-inch layer of mulch to the top of the potting soil. Straw, shredded bark, or chopped leaves will help keep the growing medium from absorbing too much heat and help preserve moisture.
  

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• 08 of 11

  Water Soil Consistently

  

  Water plants in the morningto provide hydration all day and enable damp foliage to dry during daylight hours. Apply water directly on the soil and minimize moisture on the leaves, which can encourage blight and fungus. The soil should be moist but notsoggy to avoid root rot.

  During sweltering summer days orhot and windy days,you might have to water plants twice a day.If a tomato plant receives too little water, the plant will wilt and weaken, and the tomatoes could developblossom end rot or the fruit can crack or split.

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• 09 of 11

  Fertilize the Tomatoes Regularly

  

  Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and container-grown tomatoes require feeding about every two weeks. Make sure to feed your plants the primary nutrients they require—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

  Tomatoes grown in pots need to be fed regularly throughout the growing season, as often as twice monthly depending on the type of potting mix used. A balanced NPK fertilizer, such as 5-5-5 or 5-10-5 works best applied during watering.

  Some potting soils already have fertilizers included in them, so read the soil bag to determine if these essential nutrients are included in the mix.
  

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• 10 of 11

  Find a Sunny and Warm Location

  

  Tomato plants require full sun, which means at least 6 to 8 hours per day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  Place your pots ina location that receives sunlight all day long, and if conditions change throughout the growing season, move the pots to ensure adequate sun exposure.

  Tomato plants like warm temperatures. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees, bring the plants inside or protect them from the cold. If temperatures soar above 90 degrees, provide more shade, because the plant will stop producing flowers and fruit.
  

  Tip

  While established tomatoes thrive in full sun, too much suncan weaken or kill young plants that are nothardenedoff or acclimated slowly to outdoor growing conditions.

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• 11 of 11

  Harvest Ripe Tomatoes

  

  Every variety of tomatoes has a slightly different growth rate and harvesting schedule. Most produce fruit within 60 to 100 days. While you can pick tomatoes when they are not ripe and allow them to ripen off the plant, you will get the best flavor if you allow them to ripen on the plant.

  Determine a ripe tomato by:

  • Skin sheen: A ripe tomato has a glossy and slightly shiny skin.
  • Skin color: The color should be fairly deep and uniform.
  • Feel: The tomato should give slightly when giving it a gentle squeeze.
  • Stem resistance: Ripe tomatoes should release from the stem with a gentle tug.
  • Smell: The tomato should give off a strong tomato fragrance.