Cherry tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Their small size, sweet flavor, and versatility make them a favorite for salads, snacking, and cooking. With so many varieties to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to grow.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best cherry tomato varieties available, as well as provide tips on planting and growing these delicious fruits.
1. Sweet Million
One of the most popular cherry tomato varieties, Sweet Million lives up to its name with an abundance of small, sweet fruits. These indeterminate plants produce long clusters of tomatoes throughout the growing season, making them a favorite for snacking and salads. Sweet Million tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
2. Sun Gold
Known for its vibrant orange color and exceptional sweetness, Sun Gold is a top choice for cherry tomato enthusiasts. These indeterminate plants produce prolific clusters of small, tangy-sweet tomatoes that are perfect for fresh eating or adding to dishes. Sun Gold tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and tolerance to heat, making them a great choice for warm climates.
3. Orange Zinger
If you’re looking for a unique cherry tomato variety, consider Orange Zinger. These small, round tomatoes boast a bright orange color and a sweet, tangy flavor. The indeterminate plants produce an abundance of fruits that are perfect for snacking or adding to salads. Orange Zinger tomatoes are known for their disease resistance and long shelf life.
4. Chocolate Sprinkles
For a visually striking addition to your garden, consider growing Chocolate Sprinkles cherry tomatoes. These small, oval-shaped fruits feature a dark red color with green stripes, resembling tiny chocolate sprinkles. The indeterminate plants produce an abundance of flavorful tomatoes that are perfect for snacking or garnishing dishes. Chocolate Sprinkles tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
5. Sugar Rush
As the name suggests, Sugar Rush cherry tomatoes are prized for their exceptional sweetness. These small, red fruits are produced on indeterminate plants that offer high yields throughout the growing season. Sugar Rush tomatoes are perfect for snacking or adding to salads, and they are known for their crack resistance and disease tolerance.
6. Sweet Gold
With its golden-yellow color and sweet flavor, Sweet Gold is a standout cherry tomato variety. These indeterminate plants produce clusters of small, juicy tomatoes that are perfect for fresh eating or preserving. Sweet Gold tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
7. Midnight Snack
For a unique twist on traditional cherry tomatoes, consider growing Midnight Snack. These small, round fruits start out green with dark purple stripes and ripen to a deep red color. The indeterminate plants produce an abundance of flavorful tomatoes that are perfect for snacking or adding to dishes. Midnight Snack tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and long shelf life.
8. Black Cherry
If you’re looking for a rich, complex flavor in a cherry tomato, look no further than Black Cherry. These small, dark purple fruits offer a sweet yet tangy flavor that is perfect for snacking or cooking. The indeterminate plants produce an abundance of tomatoes that are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
9. Pink Charmer
With its rosy pink color and sweet flavor, Pink Charmer is a delightful addition to any garden. These indeterminate plants produce clusters of small, flavorful tomatoes that are perfect for fresh eating or preserving. Pink Charmer tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and disease tolerance, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
10. Candyland Red
Candyland Red cherry tomatoes are prized for their exceptional sweetness and vibrant red color. These indeterminate plants produce an abundance of small, juicy fruits that are perfect for snacking or adding to salads. Candyland Red tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
11. Sugar Gloss
For a glossy red cherry tomato with exceptional sweetness, consider growing Sugar Gloss. These indeterminate plants produce clusters of small, juicy tomatoes that are perfect for fresh eating or preserving. Sugar Gloss tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and disease tolerance, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
12. Red Profusion
Red Profusion cherry tomatoes are known for their deep red color and rich flavor. These indeterminate plants produce an abundance of small, flavorful fruits that are perfect for snacking or adding to dishes. Red Profusion tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
13. Super Sweet 100
As one of the classic cherry tomato varieties, Super Sweet 100 lives up to its name with exceptional sweetness. These indeterminate plants produce long clusters of small, juicy tomatoes that are perfect for snacking or adding to salads. Super Sweet 100 tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and disease tolerance.
14. Micro Tom
For gardeners with limited space or those interested in container gardening, Micro Tom is an excellent choice. This dwarf cherry tomato variety produces tiny fruits on compact, determinate plants that are perfect for small gardens or patio containers. Micro Tom tomatoes offer a sweet flavor and are resistant to cracking and disease.
15. Sunsugar
Sunsugar cherry tomatoes are prized for their exceptional sweetness and golden-yellow color. These indeterminate plants produce clusters of small, tangy-sweet fruits that are perfect for snacking or adding to salads. Sunsugar tomatoes are known for their crack resistance and tolerance to heat.
16. Tidy Treats
Tidy Treats cherry tomatoes offer a compact growth habit and exceptional flavor. These determinate plants produce clusters of small, flavorful fruits that are perfect for snacking or adding to dishes. Tidy Treats tomatoes are resistant to cracking and disease, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
17. Little Birdy Red Robin
For a unique cherry tomato variety with a trailing growth habit, consider Little Birdy Red Robin. This determinate plant produces small, red fruits that are perfect for hanging baskets or containers. Little Birdy Red Robin tomatoes offer a sweet flavor and are resistant to cracking and disease.
How to Plant and Grow Cherry Tomato
Now that you’ve selected your cherry tomato varieties, it’s time to plant and grow them for a bountiful harvest. Here are some tips for success:
- Choose a sunny location: Cherry tomatoes thrive in full sun, so select a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Prepare the soil: Ensure that the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Consider amending the soil with compost before planting your cherry tomato seedlings.
- Plant at the right time: Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting your cherry tomato seedlings outdoors. In most regions, this is typically in late spring or early summer.
- Provide support: Most cherry tomato varieties benefit from staking or caging to support their sprawling growth habit and heavy fruit load.
- Water consistently: Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season to promote healthy plant growth and fruit production.
- Fertilize as needed: Consider fertilizing your cherry tomato plants with a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for strong growth and fruit development.
- Watch for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for common tomato pests such as aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies, as well as diseases like early blight and blossom end rot. Take proactive measures to manage these issues if they arise.
Growing Tips for Cherry Tomatoes
Growing cherry tomatoes is relatively easy, even for beginners. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your cherry tomato plants:
Sunlight and Soil: Cherry tomatoes thrive in full sun and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or patio where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Watering and Fertilizing: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply at the base of the plants to encourage strong root development. Use a balanced fertilizer formulated for tomatoes to promote healthy growth and abundant fruit production.
Pruning and Staking: Cherry tomato plants can become unruly if left to their own devices. Prune away any suckers that form in the crotch joints of the main stems to encourage better air circulation and prevent disease. Use stakes or cages to support the plants and keep them off the ground.
Pests and Diseases: Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms, which can damage the foliage and fruit. Use organic pest control methods such as hand-picking or spraying with neem oil. Prevent diseases such as blight and powdery mildew by spacing plants properly and providing good air circulation.
Bottom Line
By selecting the best cherry tomato varieties and providing optimal growing conditions, you can enjoy a season full of delicious, homegrown tomatoes. Whether you’re snacking on Sun Golds straight from the vine or adding Sweet Millions to your favorite summer salads, there’s nothing quite like the flavor of freshly picked cherry tomatoes from your own garden.