Grow Delicious Tomatoes in Pots: A Complete Guide

 

This guide will teach you how to grow juicy, ripe tomatoes even if you have limited space. Whether you have a balcony or a small patio, or want a kitchen garden by your backdoor, planting tomatoes in pots is a great option. It's space-saving and flexible, allowing you to adjust your garden as needed. You'll still get that delicious, homegrown tomato taste without a sprawling garden.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOMATO VARIETY

Not all tomato varieties are ideal for pots. Here's a breakdown of determinate and indeterminate varieties:

DETERMINATE: These grow quickly to a specific height (around 4 feet) and stop growing. They resemble bushes and are a good choice for containers. Their fruiting season lasts 4-5 weeks.

INDETERMINATE: These vine-like tomatoes can grow up to 6 feet or more and produce fruit throughout the summer. They typically have richer flavor but require more support.

BEST TOMATO VARIETIES FOR POTS

Here are some of the best tomato varieties for container gardening:

Tiny Tim: Perfect for small spaces, this determinate variety produces abundant sweet cherry tomatoes. They are disease resistance.

Bush Tomatoes: Compact, these reach 3 feet tall and are easy to manage in pots.

Homestead: This determinate variety produces larger tomatoes, ideal for slicing, canning, or making sauces.

Roma: These medium-sized plum tomatoes are great for sauces, soups, and canning. They are disease resistant, particularly in cooler climates.

Creole: If you battle heat and humidity, this tangy and firm tomato is a good choice. they can stand up to the most intense summer heat and sun.

Sweet 100: Perfect for snacking, these small, sweet cherry tomatoes are ideal for containers.

Yellow Pear: An heirloom variety with mild-flavored yellow fruits, these grow well in hanging baskets.

Heatmaster: This heat-tolerant variety is perfect for hot climates.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT POT

While small varieties can start in a 12-inch pot, tomatoes generally prefer larger containers.  A five-gallon bucket (with drainage holes!) is a good size. Plastic or fiberglass pots retain moisture better than terracotta.  All pots need drainage holes to prevent soggy roots. Self-watering containers or fabric pots can also work for some varieties.

SOIL AND POTTING MIX

Healthy soil is key to a successful tomato harvest. Tomatoes prefer well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.8) soil rich in nutrients. Use a high-quality potting mix designed for vegetables or tomatoes. 

You can add ingredients to improve drainage and moisture retention:

Moisture retention: Peat moss or coconut coir

Drainage and aeration: Perlite or vermiculite

Nutrients: Compost or aged manure (for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)

PLANTING TOMATOES IN POTS

You can start tomatoes from seeds or use young transplants.

SEEDING: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost in a seed-starting tray or small pots. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, water, and cover with plastic. Keep the temperature between 60 and 70°F. Once sprouts emerge, remove the plastic. Transplant to a larger pot when they reach 6 inches tall with multiple leaves.

TRANSPLANTING: Choose healthy transplants around 6 inches tall. Use a large enough pot with a drainage saucer. Fill the pot with high-quality potting mix and fertilizer. Plant deeply to encourage root growth. Water thoroughly and regularly, especially in hot weather. Provide support as the plant grows. Fertilize monthly or twice monthly in hot climates.

WATERING AND FERTILIZING: Potted tomatoes dry out faster than those in the ground. Use a saucer to hold 2-4 inches of water for the plant to wick up as needed. Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use a fertilizer formulated for fruits and flowers, with an NPK ratio around 4-9-3 and 10-15% calcium. For a 5-7 gallon container, mix in 2-3 cups of fertilizer before planting. Mulch the top of the pot to retain moisture. If your soil loses calcium, add an antacid monthly to replenish it.

SUNLIGHT AND TEMPERATURE: Tomatoes love sun and temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The beauty of container gardening is that you can move the pots to follow the sun throughout the day. When temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, bring them indoors for protection against cold.

PRUNING AND SUPPORT: Prune your tomato plants to encourage a single main stem for optimal fruit production. Regularly remove suckers, excess foliage, and any leaves near the soil surface to improve airflow and reduce disease risk. As the plant gets heavier, use stakes, cages, or trellises for support.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Lack of calcium can lead to blossom rot in tomato plants 

Especially when growing tomatoes in container since the soil doesn’t have the same supply that ground soil does. To prevent this, drop an antacid in the soil once monthly.

Tomato hornworm is a common predator of tomatoes in pots. You can protect your tomatoes by planting marigolds, which will attract insects that prey on the hornworm.

For soil borne diseases including various fungal diseases that thrive in moist environments, can be controlled by pruning tomatoes and keeping excess foliage away from the soil.