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Plant Profiles / Patio & cherry tomato
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Patio & cherry tomato
Solanum lycopersicum · Cherry tomato, patio tomato
Compact patio and cherry tomatoes bred for pots, producing sweet fruit all summer on sunny balconies.
Full sunLight
Daily in summerWater
ModerateCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
At least 6–8 hours of sun.
Water
Daily in summer
DryWet
Consistent watering prevents splitting and blossom-end rot.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Good airflow helps.
Temperature
15–35°C (59–95°F)
CoolWarm
Frost tender.
Growth
Fast
SlowFast
Patio 40–60 cm; cherry to 1.5 m.
Soil
Rich potting mix
LeanRich
Vegetable mix in a 30 cm+ pot.
Fertiliser
Weekly once flowering
RarelyOften
Tomato fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Leaves and green fruit are toxic to pets.
About this plant
Tomatoes come from South America. Dwarf "determinate" types stay compact for pots; cherry types are prolific. They need sun, consistent watering and regular feeding.
Best spots
Sunny balconies, courtyards and large pots with a stake.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Solanum lycopersicum |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Origin | South America |
| Plant type | Annual vegetable |
| Mature size | 40 cm–1.5 m |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Flowers | Yellow |
| Toxicity | Foliage toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Seed |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plant
Harvest
Fertilise
PlantHarvestFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Black base on fruit | Blossom-end rot from uneven watering. |
| Splitting fruit | Irregular watering. |
| Yellow lower leaves | Hungry or disease. |
| No fruit | Too hot or poor pollination; tap flowers. |
| Grubs in fruit | Fruit fly; use traps. |
Common questions
What pot size?
At least 30 cm wide.
Do I need a stake?
Yes for cherry types.
When do I plant?
Once frost has passed.
Are leaves toxic?
Yes.
