Tomatoes for Small Space Gardening
Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops to grow in gardens around the world. They’re juicy, delicious and a staple in most cuisines.
But, they tend to be big plants!
When I first starting gardening inside my tiny NYC apartment, I thought tomatoes would be out of the question. I don’t have outdoor space and my hydroponic gardens are meant for small plants.
Even some cherry tomato varieties can be too large to flourish in small spaces.
But then I discovered dwarf and micro dwarf cherry tomato varieties that work well for indoor hydroponics.
So if you don’t have the space for a traditional garden bed, don’t worry!
I’ve successfully grown dwarf cherry tomatoes in many of my Aerogardens and they taste much better than what you can find at the grocery store – so I highly recommend giving them a try!
Here are the best dwarf cherry tomato types to grow in small gardens.
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Dwarf Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are great for container planting or hydroponic gardens because they’re small and don’t require much space.
Plus, they’re incredibly flavorful and often come in many different colors, so they really brighten up a space!
Here’s why you’ll want to look for dwarf and micro cherry tomato types instead of regular cherry tomato varieties.
Compact size
These varieties of cherry tomatoes are specifically bred to be small and compact, which makes them ideal for growing in containers and small gardens. They take up less space than larger tomato plants, allowing you to maximize your growing area.
High yield
Despite their small size, dwarf and micro dwarf cherry tomato plants can produce a significant amount of fruit. This means that you can enjoy a bountiful harvest even if you only have a limited growing area.
Easy to care for
Dwarf and micro dwarf cherry tomato plants are generally easy to care for, requiring less maintenance than larger tomato plants. They typically need less pruning and trellising, and are more forgiving if you forget to water them from time to time.
Versatility
These cherry tomatoes can be grown in a variety of containers, including hanging baskets, pots, and window boxes. This makes them ideal for balconies, patios, and other small outdoor spaces.
Where to Buy Dwarf Cherry Tomato Seeds
There are tons of places to buy dwarf and micro dwarf cherry tomato seeds!
Check your local garden nursery, hardware store or grocery store during the spring months. Online, I’ve ordered seeds from Amazon, Etsy and Botanical Interests.
Shop cherry tomato seeds.
Determinate vs Indeterminate
One thing to look out for when choosing tomato seeds for a small space is whether it’s a determinate or indeterminate tomato variety.
This refers to the tomato plant’s growth habits:
Determinate Tomatos
Determinate and indeterminate tomato plants refer to different growth habits, which can have significant implications for gardening in small spaces.
Determinate tomato plants are often referred to as “bush” tomatoes because they have a more compact growth habit and typically reach a predetermined height of about 3-4 feet.
They tend to produce their fruit all at once over a short period, and then the plant begins to die back.
These plants are ideal for smaller spaces, such as container gardens or raised beds, as they require less staking and pruning than indeterminate varieties.
Indeterminate Tomatos
Indeterminate tomato plants, on the other hand, continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season until they are killed by frost or disease.
They can reach heights of up to 8 feet, and their growth is more sprawling, requiring more space and support.
Indeterminate tomatoes are often called “vine” tomatoes and require staking, trellising, or caging to support their growth.
These plants can be more productive than determinate varieties, producing more fruit over a longer period, but they also require more care and maintenance.
Determinate or Indeterminate Cherry Tomatoes?
When gardening in a small space, you’ll typically want to focus only on growing determinate tomatoes.
These are often a better choice because they require less space and maintenance. They can be grown in small containers, kratky mason jars or a hydroponic setup like the Aerogarden and still to produce a manageable amount of fruit.
Below I’ve included dwarf cherry tomatoes of both determinate and indeterminate varieties, just in case you want to try both!
Best Dwarf Cherry Tomatoes
All of the below varieties can grow to their full potential in just a 1-gallon pot or even smaller container.
Balconi Red
This determinate variety is perfect for container gardening as it only grows to 12-18 inches tall. It produces clusters of small, bright red cherry tomatoes.
Baxter’s Bush Cherry
This determinate variety grows to about 3 feet tall and produces abundant clusters of red cherry tomatoes. It is well-suited for container gardening.
Bing Cherry
This determinate variety is perfect for indoor gardening as it grows to just 12 inches tall. It produces sweet, deep red cherry tomatoes.
Shop seeds: Etsy
Black Cherry
This unique cherry tomato variety only grows to about 4 feet tall. It produces dark red, juicy cherry tomatoes that are perfect for indoor growing.
Bloody Butcher
This determinate variety produces clusters of small, red tomatoes that are perfect for salads. It grows to about 2-3 feet tall and is great for container gardening.
Bush Early Girl
This determinate variety produces medium-sized cherry tomatoes on a compact bush. It grows to about 2-3 feet tall and is perfect for container gardening.
Plus, it’s great for those with a short growing season! Like the name implies, Bush Early Girl produces early-ripening cherry tomatoes.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Bushsteak
This compact plant only grows to about 2 feet tall and produces large, beefsteak-style cherry tomatoes.
Candyland Red
This indeterminate variety produces an abundance of sweet, red cherry tomatoes on a small plant that grows to just 3-4 feet tall. It is perfect for container gardening.
Chadwick Cherry
This determinate variety produces clusters of small, red cherry tomatoes that are perfect for salads. It grows to about 2-3 feet tall and is great for container gardening.
Cherry Cascade
This cascading cherry tomato variety is perfect for hanging baskets and only grows to about 2 feet tall.
Cherry Falls
This determinate variety is perfect for hanging baskets or container gardening. It produces an abundance of sweet, red cherry tomatoes on a compact plant that grows to just 12-15 inches tall.
Shop seeds: Amazon, Botanical Interests & Etsy
Cherry Gold
This indeterminate variety produces small, golden-yellow cherry tomatoes on a plant that grows to just 2-3 feet tall. It is great for container gardening or hydroponic gardening.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Cherry Punch
This indeterminate variety produces an abundance of sweet, red cherry tomatoes on a compact plant that grows to just 3-4 feet tall. It is perfect for container gardening.
Chocolate Cherry
This indeterminate variety produces small, brownish-red cherry tomatoes that have a rich, sweet flavor. It grows to about 4 feet tall and is great for container gardening.
Crimson Crush
This determinate variety is perfect for indoor gardening as it grows to just 2-3 feet tall. It produces clusters of sweet red cherry tomatoes.
Elfin
This determinate variety produces small, red cherry tomatoes on a compact plant that grows to just 12 inches tall. It is perfect for indoor gardening or hydroponic gardening.
Gardener’s Delight
This variety produces sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes that are perfect for container gardening.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Gold Nugget
This indeterminate variety produces sweet, golden-yellow cherry tomatoes on a compact plant that grows to just 2-3 feet tall. It is perfect for container gardening.
Golden Sweet
This yellow cherry tomato variety only grows to about 3 feet tall and produces plenty of sweet, juicy tomatoes.
Husky Cherry Red
This determinate bush variety produces large clusters of of sweet, red cherry tomatoes. It’s a dwarf tomato variety that grows to about 2-3 feet tall, making it great for small containers or indoor hydroponic gardening.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Jasper
This cherry tomato variety is perfect for indoor growing and produces sweet, juicy tomatoes.
Lizzano
This cherry tomato variety is perfect for hanging baskets, as it produces tailing cherry tomatoes and only grows to about 2 feet tall.
Maskotka
A compact cherry tomato variety that produces an abundance of sweet and flavorful tomatoes.
Mountain Magic
This cherry tomato variety is known for producing disease-resistant sweet, juicy tomatoes. Mountain Magic is a compact tomato that only grows to about 3 feet tall.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Micro Tom
The smallest tomato plant in the world, Micro Tom only grows to about 6-8 inches tall, making it perfect for indoor gardening.
Orange Hat
This dwarf cherry tomato is great for tiny pots and indoor hydroponic gardens. I’ve grown mine several times in the Aerogarden to great success.
The orange fruit is small, sweet and grows in huge clusters despite the plant’s small stature. It grows to 12 inches tall but can easily be pruned to just 4 to 6 inches tall.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Oregon Spring
This dwarf tomato only grows to about 3 feet tall and produces plenty of large, juicy cherry tomatoes.
Shop seeds: Etsy
Patio Princess
This variety is perfect for small containers and patio gardens. It produces compact plants that only grow about ~2.5 feet tall with plenty of juicy cherry tomatoes.
Red Robin
This is another compact cherry tomato variety that’s perfect for small container gardening. Red Robbin cherry tomatoes are a determinate tomato variety that grow just 2 feet tall.
They produce a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy fruit. And best of all, Red Robin tomatoes are easy to care for and require minimal pruning, making them a great choice for beginners!
Sprite
This dwarf tomato only grows to about 1.5 feet tall and produces plenty of small, sweet cherry tomatoes.
Sweet Chelsea
This micro dwarf cherry tomato only grows to about 6 inches tall and produces plenty of sweet cherry tomatoes.
Sweet Baby Girl
This cherry tomato variety produces sweet and juicy tomatoes that are perfect for container gardening.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Sweetheart of the Patio
This variety produces bright red, flavorful cherry tomatoes that are perfect for container gardening. It’s a micro dwarf cherry tomato variety that grows to about 8-12 inches tall.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Sweet Million
This cherry tomato variety produces clusters of sweet, juicy tomatoes. It is disease-resistant and perfect for container planting or hydroponic gardens.
It grows slightly larger, to about 4 feet tall.
Terenzo
This compact tomato variety is perfect for small spaces and produces sweet and flavorful cherry tomatoes.
Shop seeds: Amazon
Tiny Tim
This determinate tomato variety produces small, sweet fruit that’s perfect for snacking, salads, and sauces.
Tiny Tim tomatoes are also disease-resistant, making them a great choice for indoor hydroponic gardens. They grow to be about 12 inches tall and are great for small spaces.
Totem
This micro dwarf tomato only grows to about 10 inches tall, making it perfect for small indoor spaces.
Tumbling Tom
This dwarf cherry tomato grows in a cascading pattern and only reaches about 1.5 feet tall.
Window Box Roma
This compact tomato variety is perfect for small spaces and produces elongated, roma-style cherry tomatoes. The plant grows to just 1.5 feet tall.
All of these cherry tomato varieties are small and compact enough to be grown indoors, making them perfect for container gardening, hydroponic gardening, or any small indoor gardening space.
Whether you’re looking for a micro dwarf tomato that only grows a few inches tall or a compact plant that produces plenty of juicy cherry tomatoes, there’s a variety here for you.
Happy gardening!
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