Tomato Plant Plant Care

Tomato Plant (Solanum lycopersicum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Solanum genus. Tomato Plant is native to Peru. Tomato Plant is also known as Tomato, Garden Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum.

Tomato Plant displays an indeterminate, sprawling growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tomato Plant produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tomato Plant every 5–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tomato Plant thrives in full sun.

Solanum lycopersicum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Tomato Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Requires well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Good drainage is essential for Tomato Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tomato Plant every 3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and requires well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tomato Plant is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tomato Plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Tomato Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Tomato Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tomato Plant can be propagated through propagate via seeds or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trailing nightshade plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Tomato Plant is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tomato Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Tomato Plant is native to Peru. In cooler regions, grow Tomato Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.