Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Cherry tomatoes are small, sweet tomatoes grown from seed indoors and set out after frost. They need full sun, steady moisture and support, and are usually ready about 65 to 90 days after transplanting.
Quick facts
- Germination time
- 6–12 days
- Germination temperature
- 24–32 °C75–90 °F
- Sowing depth
- Not yet verified
- Spacing between plants
- 46–61 cm1½–2 ft
- Days to maturity
- 65–90 days from transplanting
- Sun
- Full sun
Safety for cats and dogs: not yet verified.
By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated
Spotted a mistake or missing detail? Improve this page
01 · Overview
About cherry tomato
Cherry tomatoes are a small-fruited type of tomato. Tomatoes are warm-season plants, and their fruit can be yellow, red or purple.
Tomatoes are usually grown outdoors in temperate climates as an annual. Dwarf and patio types suit hanging baskets and containers, while some cherry plants grow to 7 feet tall.
Growing details
- Start indoors
- 6–8 weeks before the last frost
- Sow outdoors
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Moderate
- Containers
- Yes, 7.6 L or largerYes, 2 gal or larger
- Height
- 0.3–3 m1–10 ft
- Spread
- 0.3–1.2 m1–4 ft
- Frost tolerance
- Not yet verified
- Soil pH
- pH 6.0–6.5
- Life cycle
- Annual
Sowing timeline
When to sow cherry tomato seeds
Counted from your area's average last spring frost date. Find yours from a local weather service or garden center, then count back or forward.
- Germination time
- 6–12 days
- Germination temperature
- 24–32 °C75–90 °F
- Days to maturity
- 65–90 days from transplanting
02 · How to grow
How to grow cherry tomato from seed
Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Use clean trays and a soilless or sterilized planting mix to avoid seedling diseases, and keep the mix moist but not wet. Seeds germinate in 6 to 12 days when the soil is between 75 and 90 °F (24 to 32 °C).
Plant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed, and water the plants well before moving them. Choose a site in full sun with soil kept between pH 6.0 and 6.5.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) apart. Cages or stakes keep stems from breaking or drooping under the weight of the fruit.
03 · Care
Caring for cherry tomato
Watering. Keep the soil consistently watered, aiming for evenly moist growing media.
Feeding. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, can lead to lots of leaves and little fruit.
Containers. Cherry tomatoes need at least a 2-gallon (about 7.6 L) pot. Containers dry out quickly and need frequent watering, and the plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Container plants usually need a soluble fertilizer every week or two.
At a glance
How cherry tomato compares with other vegetables
Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Vegetables on SeedBattle.
- Cherry Tomato
- Each of the other vegetables
- Their average
- Germination timeAbout average
6–12 days
Average for vegetables: 10 days, from 39 other seeds
- Days to maturityAbout average
65–90 days from transplanting
Average for vegetables: 73 days, from 14 other seeds
- Germination temperatureWarmer than average
24–32 °C75–90 °F
Average for vegetables: 22 °C72 °F, from 38 other seeds
- Spacing between plantsWider than average
46–61 cm1½–2 ft
Average for vegetables: 34 cm13 in, from 43 other seeds
- HeightTaller than average
0.3–3 m1–10 ft
Average for vegetables: 92 cm3 ft, from 57 other seeds
04 · Problems
Common cherry tomato problems
Common pests include tomato hornworms, aphids and whiteflies. Diseases include blights and fusarium wilt. Cultivars differ in disease resistance, so choose resistant types when you can.
Uneven watering can cause fruit cracking and blossom end rot.
05 · Harvest
Harvesting cherry tomato
Harvest as soon as the fruit color begins to change. Tomatoes take 65 to 90 days from transplant to harvest. Depending on the cultivar, the first harvest can come anywhere from 52 to 90 days.
06 · Storage
Storing cherry tomato
Don’t refrigerate tomatoes. Let them ripen fully indoors at room temperature. Ripe fruit can also be kept in the refrigerator for 4 to 7 days, although cold can dull the flavor and make the texture mealy.
07 · Safety
Cherry Tomato safety
Leaves and stems are the parts listed as a problem for people when eaten in large amounts; the fruit is the edible part. Don’t eat the leaves or stems. The plant is also listed as a problem for cats and dogs, but no toxicity level is given for either.
Cherry Tomato questions
How long do cherry tomato seeds take to germinate?
Seeds germinate in 6 to 12 days when the soil is between 75 and 90 °F (24 to 32 °C).
Can I grow cherry tomatoes in a pot?
Yes. Cherry tomatoes should have at least a 2-gallon (about 7.6 L) pot, and they need frequent watering because containers dry out quickly.
When should I plant cherry tomatoes outdoors?
Plant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date.
How much sun do cherry tomatoes need?
Tomatoes need full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Quick answers
More cherry tomato questions
Short answers taken from the growing facts on this page.
How far apart should I plant cherry tomato?
Space the plants 46–61 cm1½–2 ft apart.
What temperature do cherry tomato seeds need to sprout?
Cherry tomato seeds germinate at 24–32 °C75–90 °F.
How long does cherry tomato take to mature?
Cherry tomato takes 65–90 days from transplanting to mature.
How tall does cherry tomato grow?
Cherry tomato grows 0.3–3 m1–10 ft tall.
Is cherry tomato an annual or a perennial?
Cherry tomato is an annual.
What soil pH does cherry tomato need?
Aim for soil at pH 6.0–6.5.
Side by side
Compare cherry tomato with…
Two seeds, every growing fact lined up, so you can pick the one that suits your space.
Vegetables
More seeds like cherry tomato
Related seeds, plus others in the Vegetables category.
Find your next seed to grow
Browse all 223 seeds by sun, difficulty or pot size, or line cherry tomato up against another seed.
