How to Grow Tomatoes in a Pot

Choose a compact or determinate variety such as Roma, Cherry, or Patio. These stay manageable in a pot instead of growing six feet tall.

• Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening. Wet foliage overnight invites blight.
• Howcompass Garden Team notes that checking your progress before moving on to Step 2 prevents the most common beginner mistakes.

Pick a container at least 18 inches (45 cm) across with drainage holes. A 5-gallon (19 L) pot is the sweet spot for one plant.

• A layer of mulch can cut your watering in half and keeps the soil temperature steady.
• Have your potting mix within reach before starting this step so you do not have to pause mid-process.

Fill the pot with a loose potting mix designed for vegetables. Do not use garden soil — it compacts and drains poorly in containers.

• Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening. Wet foliage overnight invites blight.
• Tomatoes in pots dry out fast. In a heat wave you may need to water twice a day.

Bury the seedling deeply, up to the first set of leaves. Tomatoes grow roots along the buried stem, which makes a stronger plant.

• A layer of mulch can cut your watering in half and keeps the soil temperature steady.
• Have your watering can within reach before starting this step so you do not have to pause mid-process.

Water thoroughly until it runs out the bottom, then add a 2-inch layer of straw or bark mulch to hold moisture. Take your time with this stage of planting your tomato so your setup stays consistent from start to finish.

• Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening. Wet foliage overnight invites blight.
• Howcompass Garden Team notes that checking your progress before moving on to Step 6 prevents the most common beginner mistakes.

Push a 5-foot stake or tomato cage into the pot right away so you never disturb the roots later. Take your time with this stage of planting your tomato so your setup stays consistent from start to finish.

• A layer of mulch can cut your watering in half and keeps the soil temperature steady.
• Tomatoes in pots dry out fast. In a heat wave you may need to water twice a day.

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, usually every 1–2 days in hot weather. Water at the base, not the leaves.

• Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening. Wet foliage overnight invites blight.
• Howcompass Garden Team notes that checking your progress before moving on to Step 8 prevents the most common beginner mistakes.

Feed with a tomato fertilizer every two weeks once the first flowers appear. Too much nitrogen gives you leaves instead of fruit.

• A layer of mulch can cut your watering in half and keeps the soil temperature steady.
• Have your tomato cage or stake within reach before starting this step so you do not have to pause mid-process.

Pinch off suckers that grow between the main stem and branches to keep the plant open and airy. Take your time with this stage of caring for the plant so your setup stays consistent from start to finish.

• Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening. Wet foliage overnight invites blight.
• Tomatoes in pots dry out fast. In a heat wave you may need to water twice a day.

Harvest when the fruit is fully colored and gives slightly when you squeeze it. Ripening continues on the counter if birds get there first.

• A layer of mulch can cut your watering in half and keeps the soil temperature steady.
• Have your mulch within reach before starting this step so you do not have to pause mid-process.