🌱 How to Grow Cherry Tomato from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: चेरी टमाटर

• Tamil: சிறிய தக்காளி

• Telugu: చెర్రీ టమాటా

• Malayalam: ചെറി തക്കാളി

• Kannada: ಚೆರಿ ಟೊಮೆಟೊ

• English: Cherry Tomato

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season fruiting plant

• Best time to sow:

  • January–April or June–August (avoid heavy monsoon)

• Ideal temperature: 20°C to 30°C

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-drained, rich, and slightly sandy or loamy

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich with compost, cow dung manure, and a handful of neem cake powder

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: Keep 18–24 inches between plants

  • Pots: Use 10–12 inch pots, sow 2–3 seeds, thin to the healthiest seedling

• Water lightly after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry

• Avoid wetting leaves — can cause fungal diseases

5. Germination

• Seeds sprout in 5–10 days

• Transplant when seedlings are 4–6 inches tall

• Use deep containers or garden beds with strong sunlight

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Grows best in 20°C to 30°C

• Provide stakes or cages for support as plant grows

7. Fertilization

• Start feeding after 3–4 weeks

• Use organic compost, seaweed extract, or banana peel water

• Once flowering starts, switch to low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars

• Spray neem oil + mild soap solution every 10–15 days

• Maintain good airflow and remove dried leaves

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 60–75 days

• Harvest when fruits are fully red/yellow and firm

• Pick gently — overripe fruits may split on the vine

10. Regrow Tip

• Save seeds from fully ripe cherry tomatoes

• Rinse, dry completely, and store in a cool place

• In warm climates, cherry tomato plants can fruit for 3–4 months

🍅 Health Benefits of Cherry Tomatoes

• Rich in Vitamin C, A, potassium, and lycopene

• Supports heart health, immunity, and skin

• Powerful antioxidants help fight free radicals

• Low in calories — ideal for healthy snacking