There are two main types of tomato plants: determinate and indeterminate. Knowing whether you have determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes will help you to know how to care for them in the best way.
Here you will learn the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, how to prune and stake them, and a list of varieties of each type of tomato plant.
Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes
Determinate Tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes, also known as bush tomatoes, grow to a “determined” or fixed size and produce one crop of tomatoes that ripens within a short timeframe of a few weeks or so. After producing one crop of tomatoes, the plant is finished.
Staking Determinate Tomatoes
Because determinate tomato plants stay smaller than indeterminate tomato plants, they don’t need a robust staking system. They still may benefit from staking, however, because they can grow to several feet tall and may flop over from the weight of the plant, tomatoes, or the wind.
Determinate tomatoes can be grown within tomato cages or tied to bamboo or other types of stakes or supports.
Pruning Determinate Tomatoes
Because determinate tomatoes only produce one crop of tomatoes, it’s not recommended to prune them because you will be decreasing your harvest if you prune off any flowers or fruit.
However, you may choose to prune off lower branches to reduce the chances of pathogens in the soil causing disease in the plant. Even if they are not directly touching the soil, water from rain or watering may splash onto the lower leaves after hitting the ground.
You may also wish to very selectively prune some leaves out of the center of the plant for better airflow, also reducing the chance of disease and pests. You may sacrifice some tomatoes in the process, but it may make for a healthier plant.
Determinate Tomato Varieties
Here is a list of determinate tomato varieties:
- Patio
- Roma
- Salsa
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes are tomatoes that grow to an “undetermined” size and produce tomatoes continuously until the end of the growing season. Indeterminate tomato plants tend to be much larger than determinate tomato plants, need to be staked, and benefit from pruning.
Staking Indeterminate Tomatoes
How tall indeterminate tomatoes grow depends on many factors including the length of your growing season, how many hours of sun they get per day, and more. Indeterminate tomatoes can reach 8-10 feet tall or more! Because of this, it’s a good idea to stake indeterminate tomatoes.
How to stake indeterminate tomatoes:
- Tomato cage
- Single stake
- Double stakes
- String trellis
- Cattle panel trellis
- Florida weave
Whatever staking method you choose for your tomato plants should be sturdy and able to support the weight of the plants and fruit and able to withstand any possible wind that may occur.
Pruning Indeterminate Tomatoes
Because indeterminate tomatoes grow continuously throughout the season, they may benefit from being pruned and can withstand severe pruning.
How severely you prune your indeterminate tomato plants is your decision. You may choose to never prune them and let them go wild and that is okay.
However, like determinate tomatoes, it also may benefit the plant to trim off lower branches to reduce the chances of disease from pathogens in the soil getting on the leaves.
You may also choose to selectively prune branches and leaves to allow for better airflow, reducing the chances of disease and pests.
Pruning suckers, or branches that form in the “elbow” between a stem and a branch, is also a common strategy. This may reduce your tomato yield per plant, but it can result in larger and healthier tomatoes.
Pruning suckers is also a way to control how many stems your tomato plant has. Some people like to “single stem” their indeterminate tomato plants, which reduces the yield but allows you to plant them much closer together. You may be able to plant them as close as one foot apart from each other using the single-stem pruning method.
You may find that your tomato plants outgrow your staking system. If that is the case, you can prune the main leader stem at the top of your trellis, thereby “topping” the plant. This signals the plant to stop growing vertically and to focus on bushy growth and ripening existing tomatoes.
Indeterminate Tomato Varieties
Here is a list of indeterminate tomato varieties:
- Beefsteak
- Better Boy
- Big Beef
- Big Boy
- Black Cherry
- Brandywine
- Cherokee Purple
- Early Girl
- Jet Star
- Husky Red
- Rutgers
- San Marzano
- Sun Sugar
- Sweet 100
- Yellow Pear
Semi-Determinate Tomatoes
Semi-determinate tomato plants are a mix of determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes in size and harvest window. They grow larger than determinate tomatoes and smaller than indeterminate tomatoes. Semi-determinate tomatoes continue to flower and produce tomatoes throughout the season.
Semi-Determinate Tomato Varieties
- Celebrity
Conclusion
We hope this guide on determinate vs indeterminate tomatoes is helpful and that you have learned how to stake and prune your tomato plants. Happy growing!
