Cherry Tomato: The Balcony Tomato That Produces All Summer
Cherry tomatoes are small, sweet, and prolific. They mature in 60–70 days and produce dozens of fruits per plant. The best tomato for containers and balconies.
Cherry tomatoes are more forgiving than large tomatoes. They tolerate heat, less-than-perfect watering, and containers.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Indeterminate (vining) |
| Days to sprout | 7-14 |
| Days to harvest | 60-70 |
| Sun | 6-8 hours |
| Spacing | 18-24 inches |
| Height | 4-6 feet (staked) |
| Flavor | Sweet, tangy |
Why Grow It
- Prolific. Dozens of fruits per plant over the season.
- Container-friendly. Grows well in 5-gallon pots.
- Heat-tolerant. Sets fruit above 85°F (unlike large tomatoes).
- Continuous harvest. Indeterminate varieties produce until frost.
How It Fails
Failure 1: Blossom end rot. Black bottom. Inconsistent watering. See: Blossom End Rot.
Failure 2: Leaf curl. Heat stress, herbicide, or virus. See: Tomato Leaf Curl.
Failure 3: No fruit. Not enough sun, no pollination (indoors), or too much nitrogen.
Failure 4: Yellow leaves. Nutrient deficiency or overwatering. See: Yellow Leaves.
Comparison
| Variety | Type | Days | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Indeterminate | 60-70 | Containers, snacking |
| Roma | Determinate | 70-80 | Sauce |
| Beefsteak | Indeterminate | 80-90 | Slicing |
| Bush Tomato | Determinate | 65-75 | Small spaces |
Common Questions
How tall do cherry tomatoes grow? 4-6 feet in a season. Needs staking or a cage.
How many tomatoes per plant? 50-100+ cherry tomatoes.
Can I grow them in a 5-gallon pot? Yes. One plant per pot.
Do I need to prune? Not required, but pruning suckers increases airflow and fruit size.
Why are the leaves curling? Most often heat. See guide.
Can I save seeds? Yes. Cherry tomatoes are usually open-pollinated.