Tiny Tomato Plants for Container Gardens

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Tiny tomato plants, often called dwarf or micro-dwarf varieties are specially bred to thrive in containers as small as 6 inches tall. Unlike standard tomatoes that require large pots or even a place in the garden, tiny tomato plants for container gardens stay compact. This makes them ideal for balconies, patios or anywhere space is at a premium. These gardening powerhouses known for their high productivity and intense sweetness range from bite-sized cherry tomatoes to some as small as peas. Charming!
 
Consider them for pots or even hanging baskets. Top performers include fun named selections like Renaissance Farm’s ‘Inkspot,‘ and ‘Micro Tom’ and ‘Tiny Tim’ from Victory Seeds. Tiny tomato plants for container gardens come in MANY forms. 

Popular Categories & Varieties:

  • Currant Tomatoes: The smallest variety (Solanum pimpinellifolium) are truly pea-sized. My favourite are “Spoon Tomatoes.” Sweet and pretty, they taste delicious and look lovely scattered on a cheese plate or a pasta dish.
  • Micro-Dwarfs: are the next size up and include some of the aforementioned choices, Tiny Tim and Micro Tom. Yum!
  • Grape Tomatoes: Generally similar in size to cherry tomatoes, but with thicker skin and an oblong shape. These make such a pretty addition to salad or a Caprese plate. A popular crack-resistant choice is an AAS Selection from 2018 called Valentine. Deep red in colour and extremely sweet, it is a tiny delight.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: My choice from Bounty Hunter Seeds is Sweet Splash Electra. It’s a variegated dwarf tomato plant that produces larger yellow cherry tomatoes with green stripes. The flavour is sweet yet tangy. Unique.

Why Grow Them?

In addition to their efficient sizes, why grow them? First, they have massive yields. A single plant can produce thousands of fruits per season. Next, consider the nutritional punch they pack. These little guys are rich in lycopene (an antioxidant for both heart and bone health) Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Finally, tiny tomatoes are versatile. Beyond just snacking, they can be frozen whole for year-round use, pickled and roasted. 
 

Quick Care Tips

Not unlike their full-sized counterparts, tiny tomato plants for container gardens thrive with a basic care routine. First, they need 6-8 hours of direct sun daily.  While nearly all these small varieties are bred to be determinate, a few, like ‘Golden Hour’ and ‘Jochalos’ may continue to produce fruit over a long period of time. They may need a bit of support like a small stake or cage. The vast majority are bushy plants that fruit all at once (determinate). As with all potted veggies, choose a well-draining container with a high quality soil. And finally, water these babies! It is suggested to give them a heavy soaking every few days rather than light sprinkles. 

Meet Elizabeth Morse

I specialize in creating productive gardens for my clients (garden consults), showing them how to use fresh foods (private chef & cooking classes) and enjoying…

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