Tips for Planting and Growing Tomatoes in a Container
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-ripened tomato picked fresh from your own garden. Even if you don’t have a sprawling backyard, you can grow juicy, flavorful tomatoes right on your patio, balcony, or front porch. With a container and the right setup, growing tomatoes at home is not just possible — it’s easy, fun, and incredibly rewarding!
At Gardenuity, we make it simple to grow thriving tomatoes in containers — whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started. Here’s everything you need to know to plant, grow, and enjoy a bountiful tomato harvest wherever you live.
Why Grow Tomatoes in a Container?
- Space-saving: Perfect for small patios, balconies, rooftops, or even front porches.
- Control: Manage soil quality, sunlight, and watering more easily than with in-ground gardening.
- Portability: Move your tomatoes to catch more sunlight as the seasons change.
- Faster Growing: Containers warm up faster in spring, giving tomatoes a head start.
Grow Bags Are an Ideal Container for Tomatoes
1. Healthier Roots, Healthier Plants
Grow bags allow air to flow through the soil and around the roots. This natural “air pruning” prevents roots from circling and encourages a denser, stronger root system — which means a sturdier plant and bigger harvests.
2. Perfect Drainage, Every Time
Tomatoes love moisture, but they hate sitting in waterlogged soil. Grow bags naturally drain excess water, reducing the risk of root rot and common fungal problems.
3. Ideal Temperature Control
The breathable fabric helps moderate soil temperature — keeping roots cooler in the summer heat and preventing stress that can hurt fruit production.
4. Mobility and Flexibility
Need to move your tomato plant into more sunshine? Away from strong winds? Grow bags make it easy. Plus, they work beautifully in small spaces — patios, balconies, rooftops — anywhere you want a mini garden!
5. Space-Smart and Eco-Friendly
Grow bags come in different sizes to match your tomato variety, are reusable season after season, and are often made from recycled materials — a win for you and the planet.
Growing tomatoes in a grow bag is smart because it sets your plants up for success — from root to fruit.
Grow bags breathe, drain, adapt, and help you harvest more tomatoes with less trouble. Whether you’re growing cherry tomatoes for snacking or big slicers for summer burgers, a grow bag gives you the best possible start.
What You’ll Need to Grow Tomatoes in a Container
- A large container (at least 5 gallons — Gardenuity Grow Bags are perfect!)
- High-quality potting mix (light, rich, and well-draining)
- Tomato plants (fully rooted seedlings preferred for best success)
- Plant nutrients and soil primer
- Access to at least 6–8 hours of full sunlight daily
How to Plant Tomatoes in a Container – Step by Step
1. Choose the Right Container
Size matters! Tomato plants need room to grow strong roots. Use a container at least 14–16 inches wide and deep.
2. Fill with Premium Soil
Use a light, nutrient-rich potting mix — not heavy garden soil. Tomatoes love well-draining soil that holds moisture without getting soggy.
3. Plant Deeply
Bury two-thirds of your tomato plant’s stem under the soil. Tomatoes can sprout roots along their buried stems, making them sturdier and more productive.
4. Add Support Early
Install a tomato cage or stake when planting. It’s easier to add support now than after your tomato starts sprawling.
5. Water Thoroughly
Give your new plant a deep, slow watering. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged — especially in the early weeks.
6. Feed the Soil
Keep your soil alive and your plants will thrive. The Gardenuity Serum is ideal and will keep your soil alive and feeding your plants.
7. Soak in the Sun
Place your container in a sunny spot. Tomatoes crave at least 6–8 hours of full sun daily for maximum fruit production.
How to Care for Tomatoes in Containers
- Water Smartly: Containers dry out faster than garden beds. Check soil moisture daily, especially during hot spells.
- Feed the Soil: Keep your soil healthy and thriving throughout the season.
- Prune Carefully: Remove lower leaves and suckers to promote airflow and bigger fruits.
- Harvest Regularly: Pick ripe tomatoes promptly to encourage more flowering and fruiting.
- Watch for Pests: Containers are less prone to pests, but keep an eye out for aphids or hornworms.
Best Tomato Varieties for Containers
When you’re choosing which tomato plants to grow (especially in a patio garden or grow bag), you’ll often see them labeled as determinate or indeterminate.
Here’s what that really means — in easy, everyday language:
Determinate Tomatoes (“Bush” Tomatoes)
- Grow to a set, limited size (usually 3–4 feet tall)
- Produce all their fruit at once, usually over a few weeks
- Once they produce their main crop, they’re basically done — the plant may slow down or stop growing after the big harvest
- Great for small spaces, patios, and grow bags because they stay compact and manageable
- Ideal if you want a big harvest all at once for things like canning, salsa making, or big batch cooking!
Popular Determinate Varieties:
Roma, Celebrity, Patio Princess, Bush Early Girl, Tiny Tim
Indeterminate Tomatoes (“Vine” Tomatoes)
- Keep growing and producing fruit all season long — sometimes up to 6–10 feet tall if supported!
- Need staking or cages because they continue to vine and grow upward
- Perfect if you want a steady supply of tomatoes over many months
- A little more work (because you need to train and support them), but amazing for continuous fresh tomatoes through the summer and even into fall
Popular Indeterminate Varieties:
Sungold, Sweet 100, Black Cherry, Brandywine, Juliet
Grow Pro Tip:
Determinate = Determined to grow to a certain size, then stop.
Indeterminate = Indefinite growth — they keep growing and producing as long as the season allows.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Tomatoes in Containers
- Choosing too small a container
- Overwatering or letting the soil dry out completely
- Not providing enough sunlight
- Skipping the tomato support — plants need support!
With the right setup and a little love, your tomatoes will reward you with months of homegrown goodness.
Wait… Are Tomatoes Really a Fruit?
Botanically speaking, yes — tomatoes are fruits! (Cue the debates at your next taco night.)
Technically, a fruit is the part of a plant that develops from a flower and contains seeds — and tomatoes check both boxes.
So while we treat tomatoes like veggies in salads, salsas, and sauces, they’re actually fruiting heroes. You could even argue that growing tomatoes is like growing dessert… just a lot less sugary.
But don’t worry — whether you call it a fruit or a vegetable, it still tastes just right piled high on a homegrown BLT, mixed into your favorite salsa, or sliced onto a juicy burger. (Fruit salad optional.)
5 Things You Should Never Do When Planting a Tomato
Want thriving, tomato-loaded plants? Here are five common mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t Use the Wrong Container Size
Tomatoes need room to grow! A tiny pot will cramp their roots and stunt their growth. Always choose a container that’s at least 5 gallons (or a Gardenuity Grow Bag!). - Don’t Plant Shallowly
Tomatoes love to be planted deep. Bury two-thirds of the stem so they can grow strong roots along the buried stem — it makes a huge difference for plant stability and fruit production. - Don’t Skimp on Sunlight
Tomatoes are sun worshippers. They need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Without it, you’ll get leggy plants and little to no fruit. - Don’t Forget to Water (Consistently)
Container-grown tomatoes dry out faster than garden tomatoes. Water deeply and consistently, especially during the hot months — no one likes sad, droopy tomatoes. - Don’t Skip the Support
Even if they start small, tomato plants will quickly become sprawling and heavy. Always add a tomato cage or stake when you plant — future you (and your tomatoes) will thank you!
Grow Your Own Tomato Garden with Gardenuity!
At Gardenuity, we take the guesswork out of container gardening. Our Tomato Gardens include fully rooted plants, custom soil, grow bags, nutrients, and growing support — everything you need for success.
