best tomato varieties for pots

The Top 10 Best Tomato Varieties for Growing in Pots

Tomatoes are a beloved crop for container gardens and small spaces. With the right variety that suits pot culture, you can grow tomatoes anywhere from a patio to a balcony with delicious results. Here are the 10 best tomato varieties for growing in pots and containers.

1. Black Krim

This heirloom tomato variety produces medium-sized, deep reddish-purple fruits with a rich and complex flavor Black Krim is an indeterminate variety but it stays relatively compact With some pruning and staking, it can thrive in a 12-14” pot. The flavor is fantastic and it’s a good yielder.

1. Celebrity

Celebrity is a classic determinate tomato variety that only grows 2-4 feet tall, making it perfect for containers It produces good yields of medium to large, bright red round tomatoes This disease-resistant tomato has great traditional flavor. Celebrity is one of the most popular pot-grown varieties.

1. San Marzano

San Marzano is a compact indeterminate tomato prized for making sauce and paste. The slender, bright red fruits grow in clusters and have tons of rich flavor. With pruning San Marzano can produce abundantly in a large container or bucket.

1. Marglobe

Marglobe is a sturdy, compact heirloom variety with medium-sized, deep red globular fruits. It has a nice acid to sugar balance and minimal cracking. Marglobe stays under 4 feet, so it’s easily managed in a pot. This disease-resistant variety yields well.

1. BushSteak

As the name suggests, BushSteak is a dwarf tomato bred specifically for container growing. It stays compact at around 2 feet but produces large beefsteak-type fruits up to 1 pound. This variety yields meaty, delicious tomatoes in pots on a small patio.

1. Sun Gold

For a sweet, flavor-packed cherry tomato, Sun Gold is a fantastic pot variety. These bright tangerine-colored fruits are super sweet and make a pretty, cascading display in hanging baskets. Sun Gold is indeterminate but can be contained with pruning.

1. Red Robin

Red Robin is a true dwarf tomato variety, only growing 10-12 inches tall. It’s perfectly suited to small space gardening. The abundant clusters of bright red cherry tomatoes offer nice acid flavor. Staking isn’t required for this tiny plant.

1. Patio Hybrid

Patio Hybrid is a compact, determinate cherry tomato bred for container growing. It only reaches up to 2 feet tall but produces tons of small, sweet red tomatoes all season long. It’s very easy to grow and widely adapted.

1. Tiny Tim

An extreme dwarf tomato variety, Tiny Tim tops out around 10 inches. It produces impressive yields of bright red cherry tomatoes for its miniscule size. Tiny Tim thrives in windowsill pots and very small container gardens.

1. Window Box Roma

As a compact, determinate Roma-type, Window Box Roma is ideal for pot culture. The plants grow only 16-20 inches tall. Plum-shaped red fruits are borne in abundance for sauces and salsa. It’s a neat, tidy patio tomato.

Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Pots

• Use at least a 12” diameter container with drainage holes. Bigger pots equal bigger plants and harvests.
• Use a quality potting mix formulated for vegetables and tomatoes.
• Ensure 6+ hours of sun exposure. Move portable containers to optimize sunlight.
• Use cages, stakes or trellises for support. Prune heavily.
• Water when soil dries out. Check soil moisture daily in hot weather.
• Fertilize regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer made for tomatoes.
• Watch for pests like aphids. Inspect leaves and stems frequently.

With the right compact variety and ideal growing conditions, you can successfully grow tomatoes on decks, patios and in any small sunny space.