Growing Tomatoes in Pots: Best Tomato Varieties for Small Containers
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Updated 12.21.23
The most important step in growing tomatoes in pots successfully is choosing appropriate tomato varieties for the containers you are using.
It’s the pot size that helps you know what variety to choose.
Some types of tomatoes work well in larger containers. (See a list of best tomato varieties for large pots.)
Some can grow in smaller pots and even thrive in them!
The tomato varieties listed here have a reputation for working well in containers, buckets, tubs, pots, and window boxes 5 gallons or smaller.
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| Baxter's Early Bush Cherry |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Days to maturity: 72 |
| Season: early |
| Height/habit: upright, 18-36.” Can grow to 4 feet high in ground. |
| Fruit color: red |
| Fruit shape: 1 ½” diameter |
| Baxter’s Early Bush tomatoes mature 7-10 days earlier than most other cherry tomato varieties. They’re known to be prolific producers even if conditions aren’t perfect. Taste is typical sweet/tart tomato flavor. Fruit resists splitting and keeps well after picking. |
| Elfin |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Heirloom |
| Days to maturity: 55 |
| Season: early |
| Height/habit: short, bushy plant, 9-18” |
| Fruit color: red |
| Fruit shape: ¾” grape tomatoes with slightly elongated shape |
| Elfin is a grape tomato with a sweet flavor. Fruit appears in large clusters. |
| Lyana |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Days to maturity: 55-70 |
| Season: very early |
| Height/habit: compact, bushy plant, 24-30” |
| Fruit color:bright red crimson interior |
| Fruit shape: cherry tomatoes, about 1” diameter |
| Lyana was developed in eastern Europe and introduced to North America in 2004. It can produce well in a 1 gallon pot, but in a larger container it will deliver even better results. Fruit has a strong tomato taste. |
| Micro Tom |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Hybrid |
| Days to maturity: 85-88 |
| Season: mid-season |
| Height/habit: super dwarf, 5-8” tall. Called “the world’s smallest tomato variety.” |
| Fruit color: red |
| Fruit shape: about the size of salad croutons |
| Micro Tom is an unusually small tomato plant developed at the University of Florida’s breeding program. It works great in baskets, small pots, indoors, or in mixed containers – or if you simply don’t have much room. Micro-Toms can even be grown successfully in 4” pots! The average 6” plant produces a couple of dozen tomatoes. Great for kids! |
| Patio F |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Hybrid |
| Days to maturity: 70 |
| Height/habit: very compact, up to 24” or less |
| Fruit color: bright red |
| Fruit shape: tennis ball-size, about 3-4 ounces |
| Disease resistance: F (fusarium wilt) |
| This dwarf variety is one of the most popular for growing in pots on patios, decks, and balconies – in containers at least 12” in diameter and 12” deep. Its foliage dark green and attractive. Tomatoes are flavorful. Patio produces so many tomatoes that the weight can pull plants over, so it’s best to stake it. |
| Red Robin |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Days to maturity: 55 |
| Season: very early |
| Height/habit: about 12”. A true miniature! |
| Fruit color: red |
| Fruit shape: about 1 ¼” round |
| This popular dwarf cherry tomato thrives in small pots, baskets, as part of mixed containers, and even indoors. Red Robin can flourish with less light than other varieties. Fruit is sweet with a “real” tomato taste that’s sometimes missing in cherry tomatoes. |
| Tiny Tim |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Days to maturity: 60 |
| Height/habit: compact plants, 10-18” high, 14” across (slightly bigger in ground) |
| Fruit color: bright red |
| Fruit shape: ½ -¾” cherry tomatoes |
| Plant Tiny Tim in pots 8” or larger. Staking isn’t needed. Tiny Tim manages cool spring weather better than many tomatoes and is a solid producer for its size. This variety also works well when grown indoors or hydroponically. |
| Totem |
|---|
| Determinate |
| Days to maturity: 70 |
| Season: early |
| Height/habit: dwarf, bushy plant that reaches just 12-18” |
| Fruit color: crimson red |
| Fruit shape: 1” round cherry tomatoes |
| Abundant fruit and dark green, attractive foliage make Totem a favorite variety in containers, window boxes and for indoor tomato gardeners. Dwarf habit means Totem needs no staking. |
| Yellow Pygmy |
|---|
| Indeterminate |
| Days to maturity: 110-120 |
| Season: late |
| Height/habit: true bush habit with unusual branching; about 12” |
| Fruit color: yellow with a tinge of orange |
| Fruit shape: dime-sized |
| Low, dense foliage and tiny tomatoes make Yellow Pygmy a fun addition to your containers and pots. Flowers don’t fully open. Fruit has a sharp flavor that’s a touch acidic. Plants continue producing after first set of fruit |
More lists of tomato varieties
What are the Easiest Tomatoes to Grow?
Tomato varieties for large containers ...
Tomato varieties for hanging baskets ...
Most popular tomato varieties for the home garden ...
All-America selections: most respected tomato varieties...
Best tomato varieties for drying ...
Cool tolerant tomato varieties ...
Best tomatoes for cold climates ...
Best tomatoes for hot, dry climates ...
Most blight-resistant tomato varieties ...
Tomatoes for the south: best varieties to grow in hot, humid climates...
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Growing tomatoes in pots: what you need to know ...
How to choose containers for growing tomatoes in pots ...
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Tomato fertilizer to use for container tomatoes ...
Watering tomatoes in containers, pots, baskets...
Tomato pests that attack tomatoes in containers ...
Growing cherry tomatoes in containers or pots ...
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