10 Tips for Growing Cherry Tomatoes That Thrive in Pots

Start With the Right Seeds

Not all cherry tomato plants are ideal for growing in pots, so make sure you choose the right type. According to Nathan Thorne, CEO of Handy Flowers, this is crucial to get off on the right foot. “Go for small ones like ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Patio Princess,'” he recommends. “Big ones like ‘Sun Sugar’ need more room and a bit of help standing up, but they’ll do okay in bigger pots too.”

Choose Pots With Good Drainage

Choosing a pot to grow your cherry tomatoes is more than an aesthetic decision. “The one aspect that seems to trump all others is the watering and drainage that goes into the plant containers,” explains Michael Evans, co-owner and operator of Evans West Valley Spray Co.

He suggests choosing containers that have at least three to five drainage holes to prevent excessive moisture, which can lead to root rot.

Skip the Saucer

While you might be used to putting other planters in saucers, Evans says this is a big no for cherry tomatoes. “Pots should not rest in water-filled saucers: To avoid reabsorption, do not allow the saucer to remain filled with water,” he advises. “After each watering, I elevate pots on feet or bricks so air can circulate beneath.”

Don’t Forget to Deep Water

Evans swears by deep watering. “Soak the soil to a degree where water trickles from the bottom,” he instructs. “Additionally, suspend watering until the top one to two inches dry out.” (You can verify dryness through finger checking.)

Add Mulch

Mulch is crucial for your cherry tomato plants to thrive. “Apply a one-inch cover of straw or shredded bark mulch so that moisture is maintained and sets soil temperature’s volatility in check,” Evans says.

Don’t Water Out of Precaution

Overwatering is a major issue for most plants, so Evans cautions against watering just out of caution. “Cherry tomato plants do not appreciate a wet foot,” he says. “Roots getting too wet leads to rot, while fungi succumbing to the moisture become diseased.”

Stake Them

Don’t make a stake mistake! Eduard Negodenko, landscaping/gardening expert and managing director at Avanti Landscaping, says cherry tomato plants need support. “I give support early on with a tomato cage or bamboo stakes to prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of the fruits,” he explains.

Thorne advises going with a trellis for larger plants. “Smaller types might not need it, but it keeps things tidy,” he adds.

Customize Your Fertilization Plan

When he first plants his cherry tomatoes, Negodenko uses slow-release organic fertilizer but then changes it up. “From flowering, I change to a liquid fertilizer that is applied every second week, maintaining balance among nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for fruit in pots,” he says.

Negodenko adds that too much nitrogen means too much leafy growth and little tomato, so it’s important to follow the fertilizer’s dosing instructions.

Prune Regularly

Pruning is a must for keeping most plants healthy, especially potted cherry tomatoes. “I prune suckers—small shoots between the main branch and the ones bearing fruit—so that more energy can be focused on fruit production,” says Negodenko. “Lower leaves are also trimmed to improve airflow and avoid fungal spores from infecting the plants.”

Watch for Pests

Negodenko advises keeping an eye out for pests that could ruin your planting plans. “I keep watch for aphids, spider mites, and other pests,” he says. To eliminate them, he recommends neem oil or insecticidal soap.