The size a cherry tomato plant ultimately reaches is highly variable, depending on its inherent genetics and the environment where it is grown. Cherry tomatoes are a category of small-fruited varieties, and their final dimensions can range from a small, manageable bush to a towering, sprawling vine. Understanding the factors that determine this variability is the first step toward successful cultivation and garden planning.
Understanding Growth Habits
The primary factor dictating the potential size of a cherry tomato plant is its genetically determined growth habit. This is categorized into two main types: indeterminate and determinate. The habit determines both the plant’s ultimate height and its fruiting pattern throughout the season.
Indeterminate varieties are characterized by continuous vertical growth, essentially growing as a vine until stopped by frost or disease. They produce new leaves, flowers, and fruit clusters along the main stem throughout the entire growing season. This continuous process allows indeterminate plants to reach significant heights and produce a steady, extended harvest.
Conversely, the determinate growth habit results in a more compact, bush-like plant that grows to a predetermined size. Growth ceases when a flower cluster develops at the terminal bud of the main stem, signaling the end of upward development. Determinate plants tend to set and ripen their entire crop of fruit within a relatively short period, often over a few weeks, making them a good choice for simultaneous harvesting.
Expected Height and Spread
The difference in growth habit translates directly into two distinct size profiles for mature cherry tomato plants. Determinate varieties, sometimes called bush varieties, are the smaller, more manageable option, typically reaching a mature height of 3 to 4 feet. Their compact spread makes them well-suited for smaller spaces and container gardening.
Indeterminate cherry tomato plants exhibit dramatically different dimensions, often growing to heights between 6 and 10 feet under optimal conditions. Some vigorous varieties can reach 12 feet or more by the end of a long growing season. This vining nature means the plant will sprawl outward significantly if not actively trained, requiring a robust vertical support system, such as a tall trellis or a strong stake.
The final spread of an indeterminate plant can easily be 3 to 4 feet wide, with multiple stems branching out. Because of their continuous vertical growth, these plants require support that extends well beyond the height of standard tomato cages. The volume of foliage and fruit also necessitates proper spacing to ensure adequate air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Cultural Practices That Influence Size
While genetics establish the potential size of a cherry tomato plant, horticultural practices allow the gardener to manage and sometimes restrict this growth. The size of the container has a direct correlation with the plant’s final size, particularly for indeterminate types. A smaller pot physically limits the plant’s root system, which restricts the overall size of the above-ground foliage and vine.
To thrive and reach its full genetic potential, a cherry tomato plant generally requires a container of at least 5 gallons, though 10 to 15 gallons is better for large indeterminate varieties. Using a smaller 3-gallon pot results in a significantly smaller plant, even if the variety is genetically programmed for large growth. This root restriction is a common method for keeping a large plant manageable in a small space.
Pruning is another powerful tool for controlling size, particularly with vining indeterminate varieties. Removing the small lateral shoots, known as suckers, that form between the main stem and a leaf branch directs the plant’s energy into its main vertical leaders. Gardeners can also limit the final height by “topping” the plant. Topping involves cutting off the main growing tip late in the season to encourage the ripening of existing fruit instead of new vertical growth.
The balance of nutrients in the soil also influences the plant’s growth habit and size. Excessive nitrogen, often found in general-purpose fertilizers, promotes lush, vigorous vegetative growth, resulting in a taller plant with more leaves and less fruit. To encourage fruit production and manage size, use a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium once the plant begins to flower. This shift minimizes excessive foliage development and channels the plant’s resources toward fruit set.