You Could Be Planting the Wrong Type of Tomato for Your Garden—Here’s How Experts Pick the Right Kind

Tomatoes come in a whole slew of different sizes, shapes, and colors—so you may be focused on whether you want grape tomatoes or colorful yellow heirloom tomatoes. But what you should be paying attention to when selecting tomato plants for your garden is whether you’re picking a determinate or an indeterminate tomato variety. That can be the key to how large your tomato harvest is—and whether your tomato plant thrives or dies.

So, before you hit the garden center, check out our expert advice on the differences between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, and how to choose the right tomato variety for you.

What’s the Difference Between Indeterminate and Determinate Tomatoes?

While both determinate and indeterminate plants give you those tasty, tart tomatoes, there are differences in how they grow, how they produce tomatoes, and what their tomatoes are like. Here are a few of the big differences:

Plant growth

Determinate varieties tend to have a more compact, bushier growth, which means they require a bit less space in the garden and don’t have as much need for staking and support. Indeterminate tomato varieties can grow up to 10 feet tall, and will require pruning and staking to optimize their growth.

Determinate varieties may be a better choice for containers or smaller garden patches, where they leave more room for other plants.

Harvesting time

Determinate tomato varieties produce a lot of tomatoes in a very short amount of time, and then stop flowering and producing. Indeterminate varieties tend to produce tomatoes over a longer span of time—often right until the first frost.

Fruit type

Many of the determinate tomato varieties produce fruits that are more appropriate for sauces and canning, as they can be “meatier” and have fewer seeds.

When Should You Choose Determinate or Indeterminate Tomatoes?

Depending on your garden goals, you may want to choose to focus heavily (or entirely) on a single type of tomato. But unless you’re completely focused on sauce or fresh tomatoes for your sandwiches, you’ll likely want to give a little garden space to each.

“A mix of determinate and indeterminate tomatoes is a great option, since the indeterminate varieties will produce a larger harvest over a longer timeframe, and the determinate varieties will be ready all at once for saucing or canning,” says Carly Mercer, gardening expert at Love & Carrots. “A determinate tomato may also be a great way to squeeze in a few more tomato plants without crowding out your other crops.”

Here are some other factors to consider if you’re choosing between determinate and indeterminate varieties.

If you’re planting in containers or a small garden: Choose determinate tomatoes.

“You can prune indeterminate tomatoes to keep them a bit more contained, but if you are tight on space, I wouldn’t recommend them,” Mercer says. “A determinate variety will be a better fit for most home growers who have small gardens or planters. Indeterminate tomatoes grow quickly and tend to sprawl, so you would need to prune them every few days to keep them to a manageable size.”

If you want tomatoes for slicing and snacking: Choose indeterminate tomatoes.

All tomatoes can be good for popping onto a sandwich or snacking on—but in general, indeterminate varieties tend to be better for this purpose.

If you’re planning to can or create sauce: Choose determinate tomatoes.

“Determinate tomatoes are great for people who like to make sauces and salsas and other products for storing, since they set all their fruit at one time and you can harvest a large amount at once and process it,” Mercer says.

If you want tomatoes all season long: Choose indeterminate varieties.

Indeterminate tomato varieties will keep on producing, adding new tomato blossoms and new tomatoes all the way until the frost. They’re the best choice if you’re looking to extend tomato season for as long as possible.

If you’re a low-maintenance gardener: Choose determinate varieties.

Determinate varieties require less pruning and can be a bit lower maintenance, Mercer says—so they may be better for you if you’re not looking to add a lot of gardening chores to your to-do list.

Popular Determinate Tomato Varieties

Some of the most in-demand tomato varieties are determinate varieties. Look for tomatoes that are designated patio, bush, or that the growers say are perfect for containers, as they are likely determinate varieties.

• Roma or plum tomatoes
• Celebrity tomatoes
• Bush beefsteak tomatoes
• Zebra cherry tomatoes
• Rutgers tomatoes
• Marglobe tomatoes

Popular Indeterminate Tomato Varieties

Many classic tomato varieties are indeterminate—whether you’re looking for cherry tomatoes or large beefsteak-style fruits.

• Early Girl tomatoes
• Beefsteak tomatoes
• Big Boy tomatoes
• Sungold tomatoes
• Juliet tomatoes
• Sun Sugar tomatoes

Tips for Tomato Care

Whether you’re planting determinate or indeterminate tomato varieties, follow these expert tips to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Offer plenty of sun

All tomato varieties require a sunny spot with six to eight hours of sunshine per day, Mercer says.

Provide support

While determinate varieties tend to have a bushier and more compact growth pattern, they still benefit from staking or caging to help support the plant and the fruit.

Give them enough room

“Make sure you give each plant adequate space so that they have good airflow,” Mercer says, as that can help head off common tomato diseases. “I recommend planting all tomatoes about two to two and a half feet apart.” 

Prune only the indeterminate varieties

Pruning can be important for an indeterminate plant—but could be disastrous for a determinate tomato variety. “We advise pinching off the flowers on indeterminate varieties until they’re at least three feet tall so that they can support a larger crop over the long term,” Mercer says. “But do not pinch flowers on determinate varieties, because they only have one set!”