There are typically tomato plants for sale at local garden centers. But you can also grow tomatoes from seed. In most gardens, the growing season isn’t long enough to start tomatoes from seeds outside because the plants like it hot. To get around that, tomato seeds are often started indoors. Find out how to plant tomato seeds, take care of the seedlings, and finally move the seedlings to your garden. 1:36.
Growing tomatoes from seed can be extremely rewarding Watching those first seed leaves (cotyledons) emerge from the soil is an exciting moment for any gardener However, it does require some patience waiting for those tiny seeds to sprout. So how long does it really take for tomato seeds to germinate?
The time for tomato seeds to germinate can vary quite a bit depending on several factors. With optimum conditions, tomato seeds may sprout in as little as 4-6 days. However, it typically takes 6-12 days for most tomato varieties. Seeds that germinate in less than a week are considered rapid germinators.
Here are some of the key factors that affect tomato seed germination times:
Tomato Variety
Different tomato varieties and hybrids germinate at slightly different rates. Heirloom types, in general, tend to be slower than hybrids. But even among heirlooms, there can be quite a bit of variance in germination speed.
When shopping for seeds, you may see labels like “fast germinating” or “rapid sprouting” which indicate that variety has been bred to come up quickly. Tomato seeds sold for commercial growers are often bred for uniform, fast germination.
If speedy sprouting is important to you, look for “fast” varieties suited to your growing zone. Just keep in mind that rapid germination does not necessarily mean earlier fruiting.
Soil Temperature
The single biggest factor controlling tomato seed germination is soil temperature Tomato seeds will germinate best when soil temperatures are between 65-85°F (18-29°C)
Seeds can still sprout at slightly cooler or warmer temperatures, but the rate slows down considerably outside of that optimal range At 50°F, germination may take over 2 weeks And at temps above 90°F, germination often fails completely.
Since soil temperature plays such a huge role, use a thermometer to check your seed starting mix, and consider a heat mat or greenhouse to regulate temperatures if needed.
Here is a general guide to tomato seed germination times at various soil temps:
- 50-55°F – Over 40 days
- 57-64°F – 14-21 days
- 65-74°F – 6-8 days (optimal zone)
- 75-84°F – 6-8 days
- 85-90°F – 8-10 days
- 95°F+ – Little to no germination
Seed Age
Fresh seeds less than a year old tend to germinate faster and at higher rates than older seeds. Tomato seeds usually remain viable for 3-4 years when stored properly in a cool, dry place. But germination time will increase as seeds age.
For quick, uniform sprouting, start with newly purchased seeds from the current year’s crop. Old leftover seeds from several seasons ago will take longer to wake up.
Seed Priming
Seed priming is a technique used by some gardeners to hasten germination. It involves soaking seeds in water, sometimes with the addition of growth promoters or nutrients.
The extra hydration helps “kickstart” the germination process before planting by activating growth enzymes and signaling the seed to get ready. Primed seeds will germinate faster once planted in warm soil.
However, priming is usually not necessary for fresh tomato seeds sown in ideal warm conditions. It provides more of a benefit for old seeds or challenging sowing environments.
Depth of Planting
Tomato seeds are quite small, so they should be planted at a shallow depth – no more than 1⁄4 inch (6mm) deep. Seeds buried too deeply may struggle to break through the soil.
Carefully place seeds on the soil surface or just barely covered with a thin layer of vermiculite or seed starting mix. This shallow planting allows for faster emergence.
Moisture Levels
Consistent moisture is key for quick tomato seed germination. Soil that dries out and is then re-watered causes seeds to swell and contract, which delays sprouting.
Use bottom watering trays or self-watering seed cells to keep soil moisture even. Err on the side of slightly dry rather than soggy. Good drainage prevents waterlogging.
Weather and Location
Outdoor conditions can also impact germination time if direct sowing seeds rather than starting indoors. Cool spring soil will delay germination, while warm southern regions encourage faster sprouting.
Weather fluctuations like cold snaps also affect soil temperature and moisture, potentially slowing down germination. Protecting seed beds with cloches helps regulate outdoor conditions.
Seed Saving and Storage
If you save tomato seeds from your own plants, keep in mind that how and where you store them impacts germination speed the following season.
Seeds that have been carefully dried, fermented, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator will sprout faster than seeds casually left in a paper envelope in the shed. Proper harvest and storage methods help preserve viability.
Pre-Treatment with Gibberellic Acid
An optional technique for encouraging faster tomato seed germination is soaking seeds in a diluted gibberellic acid solution prior to planting. Gibberellic acid is a plant hormone that stimulates growth and germination responses. The right concentration can shorten germination time by a few days. However, incorrect concentrations can also be damaging, so this method requires care and precision. Most home gardeners skip GA pre-treatment since other factors have a greater influence on germination.
Patience is Key!
While all of the above factors contribute to tomato seed germination times, the patience of the gardener is often the most critical. Eagerly digging up seeds to check their progress or constantly fussing with moisture levels usually only serves to slow things down.
Remaining calm, providing warm soil, consistent moisture, and gentle light is the best way to get tomato seeds to sprout on schedule. A watched seed never germinates, as the saying goes!
But with care and optimal conditions, most tomato varieties will send up their first true leaves within 1-2 weeks. Then the fun of nurturing the seedlings begins!
- Select fast sprouting varieties
- Ensure soil temperatures of 65-85°F
- Use fresh seeds < 1 year old
- Optionally prime seeds in water for a few days
- Plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in seed starting mix
- Bottom water to maintain damp (not soggy) soil
- Allow 6-12 days under grow lights or sunny window
- Resist digging up seeds to check them!
- Thin and transplant seedlings after 2-4 true leaves emerge
With this optimized germination process, you’ll have tomato seedlings ready for the garden in no time! The initial waiting period is well worth it when those baby tomato plants begin to grow.
8 Things You Can Do To Get More Tomatoes This Year
- Tomato seeds
- Small containers with drainage holes
- Potting mix
- Water
- 3- to 4-inch pots with drainage holes
- Liquid fertilizer
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The Spruce / Kara Riley
- Choose Your Favorite Tomato Seed: Growing many types of tomatoes from seeds is easy and doesn’t cost much, so try out different types to see which ones you like best. Here are some things to think about: If you want organic food, look for certified organic seed. Some plant diseases are more likely to happen where you live, so pick a hardy tomato variety. Choose determinate varieties if you want your tomatoes to ripen all at once so they stay fresh. Some indeterminate types bear fruit later in the season than others, but they all bear fruit over a longer period of time. Note the mature size of the plant. Most of the time, determinate plants are bigger than indeterminate ones. Small plants that go in pots are often called “patio” or “pixie.” ” The Spruce / Kara Riley .
- Get the Planting Containers Ready: It works best to wet the potting mix before putting it in the containers. Add some water, and work it through the soil. Don’t stop adding water until the mix doesn’t fall apart when you squeeze it but is still damp. If you poke it with your finger, it should fall apart. Then, fill your containers with potting soil. Push the soil down slowly until it’s about an inch from the top. The Spruce / Kara Riley .
- To plant the tomato seeds, make a hole in the potting mix that is 1/4 inch deep. In the next step, put two or three seeds into the furrow and cover them with potting mix. Press the mix down gently so the seeds can get a good grip on the soil. If the surface doesn’t feel wet, you can spray it with water. At this point, place your containers somewhere warm. Every day, check to see if the soil is moist but not soaked, and keep an eye out for sprouts. It usually takes five to ten days for tomato seeds to sprout. The Spruce / Kara Riley .
- How to Take Care of Tomato Seedlings: Make sure your tomato seedlings stay warm and moist, and give them light—grow lights are best. If the plants look like they’re leaning one way, turn them around. It’s time to feed your tomato seedlings once they have real leaves. Any good liquid fertilizer can be used once a week, but only half of the amount that’s suggested on the label. Tomato stems get stronger when the wind blows on them. Putting a fan on your plants for an hour a day or running your hand slowly through them every time you walk by will do the same thing inside. The Spruce / Kara Riley .
- Plant the Tomato Seedlings: The seedlings should be moved to bigger pots when they are 2 to 3 inches tall and have a few sets of true leaves. Most of the time, 3- to 4-inch pots work well, but if you can’t plant them outside, you may need to move them to bigger pots later. Just like when you started the seeds, fill the new pots with wet potting mix. Should more than one seed sprout in the same pot, you will need to separate the seedlings. Either gently move roots that are tangled apart or cut off seedlings you don’t want at the soil level. This keeps the seedling you want to keep from getting hurt. Put each tomato seedling a little deeper in its new pot than it was in its old one. You can plant it right up to the top leaves if it’s tall and long. Then, firm the soil gently around the seedling. The Spruce / Kara Riley .
- Plant the Seedlings Outside: Pick a cool or cloudy day when you’re ready to plant your tomatoes in the garden. Plant them again deeper than they were in the pots. This will help new roots grow along the stem that was buried. Plant them all the way up to the first few sets of leaves. If your plants are too tall inside and you want them to get stockier and stronger, this is the best thing to do. You can always plant them sideways in a furrow if you can’t dig deep enough. In a few days, the plant’s stem will find the sun and stand up straight. The Spruce / Kara Riley .
When to Plant Tomato Seeds Indoors
Tomato seeds usually germinate within 10 days. Also, the plants grow quickly if you keep them warm and give them lots of light. For this reason, you should start the seeds six to eight weeks before you want to move them outside. So, if you want to move your plants outside in early May, you should start your seeds indoors in mid- to late-March. When you should transplant will depend on when your last frost date is, which is based on your USDA hardiness zone and the weather that year.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR TOMATO SEEDS TO GERMINATE?
FAQ
How long do tomatoes take to germinate from seed?
Why are my tomato seeds not germinating?
Do tomato seeds need darkness to germinate?
What temperature does tomato seed germination take?
The minimum temperature for tomato seed germination is 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). They take quite some time (up to 6 weeks!) to sprout in such cool soil. The maximum temperature for tomato seed germination is 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). If the soil is any warmer than this, germination rates will decrease.
How long does a tomato seed take to germinate?
Germination is the first step toward making a plant, when a seed breaks open to form a root, then a stem, then leaves, at which point it can be called a seedling. Tomato seeds typically germinate in 5 to 10 days if given optimal conditions. You’ll know seeds have germinated as soon as you see green plant emerging from the growing medium.
How long does it take to sprout tomato seeds?
If you are looking for tomato seeds germination tips and you have come to the right place. When done wrong, it can take over 40 days to sprout tomato seeds, or they may never sprout! If you are a first-time tomato grower, planting seeds from scratch and waiting for them to germinate can be daunting!
How do you grow tomato seeds?
Divide the number of successful seeds with the total amount started, and that is your germination rate. Transfer tomato seeds to a growing medium once they sprout. Tomato seeds do not need light to germinate, but they do need proper warmth and moisture. Temperatures around 70 degrees are ideal. Temperatures between 50 and 75 also work.
How do you germinate Tomatoes in a hydroponic system?
There is no one particular way to germinate tomatoes. They can thrive outdoors, indoors, or even in a hydroponic system. Starting tomato seeds is a cinch! Start tomatoes in trays with potting soil. Seed starter pellets can also be used, but we highly recommend Epic 6-Cell Seed Starting Trays. Place on a heating mat.
How do you germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel?
How to Germinate Tomato Seeds on a Paper Towel? It typically takes a tomato seed 5 to 10 days to germinate. Conditions must be optimal for germination to succeed. You need viable seeds, temperatures between 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27 degrees Celsius), damp soil, and regular watering.