Small Red Cherry Tomato

Grow the classic Small Red Cherry Tomato, a prolific heirloom variety that produces abundant clusters of sweet, bite-sized tomatoes perfect for snacking and salads. These vigorous indeterminate vines deliver continuous harvests of 1-inch bright red cherry tomatoes with exceptional sweet flavor and firm texture. Perfect for gardeners seeking reliable production of sweet cherry tomatoes for fresh eating, these plants produce hundreds of fruits throughout the season.

Growing Information

Days to maturity: 65-75 days from transplant
Planting: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant when soil temperature reaches 60°F and all frost danger has passed
Spacing: 24-36 inches apart in rows 4-5 feet apart
Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
Support needed: Yes – indeterminate vines grow 6-8 feet tall and require sturdy stakes or cages
Zones: 3-11 (warm-season annual)

Harvest & Use

Harvest when tomatoes are fully red and easily detach from the stem. The small fruits have exceptional sweet flavor with firm texture and thin skin. Perfect for fresh snacking straight from the vine, tossing into salads, adding to pasta dishes, roasting whole, or making colorful garnishes. Kids love these sweet, pop-in-your-mouth tomatoes. Each plant produces 200-300 cherry tomatoes throughout the season with continuous harvesting. The fruits hold well on the vine without splitting. Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature for best flavor, though cherry tomatoes tolerate refrigeration better than larger varieties.

Care Tips

Small Red Cherry tomatoes thrive in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and regular feeding. Water deeply and regularly at the base of plants, avoiding overhead watering to prevent disease. Mulch heavily to conserve moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases. Provide very sturdy support – these vigorous vines become extremely productive and heavy. Prune suckers minimally to maximize fruit production. Side-dress with compost every 3-4 weeks. Companion plant with basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums for natural pest management and enhanced flavor. These vigorous plants tolerate heat well and continue producing even in hot weather.

Why Choose Small Red Cherry Tomato

This classic heirloom offers exceptional productivity with hundreds of sweet cherry tomatoes from each plant throughout the season. The reliable production and sweet flavor make these perfect for families and gardeners who want continuous harvests of snacking tomatoes. The vigorous vines are more disease-resistant than many larger tomato varieties and continue producing until frost. As an open-pollinated variety, you can save seeds and maintain this productive favorite year after year. Whether you're growing for fresh snacking, salads, or preserving, Small Red Cherry delivers the sweet flavor and abundant yields that make cherry tomatoes a garden essential.