How to Grow Tomatoes in Pots

Owen Petrakis · Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer

Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops for a patio or balcony, provided they get sun, a big enough container, and steady watering.

You do not need a garden to grow tomatoes. A sunny spot and a large pot can produce a good crop, especially with compact varieties bred for containers.

The two things that make or break container tomatoes are pot size and consistent watering.

Choose the right variety Pot and compost Sun and planting Watering and feeding Harvest

1 Choose the right variety

✓Bush or determinate types stay compact and suit smaller pots and hanging baskets
✓Cordon or indeterminate types grow tall and need a stake and regular pinching out of side shoots
✓Cherry tomatoes are generally the easiest and most productive for beginners

2 Pot and compost

Use a container of at least 20 to 30 litres per plant for most varieties, with drainage holes. Fill with good-quality multi-purpose compost or a specific container mix.

3 Sun and planting

Tomatoes need as much sun as possible, ideally six to eight hours a day. Plant out after the last frost when nights stay mild. Bury the stem a little deeper than it sat in its nursery pot; tomatoes root along buried stems.

4 Watering and feeding

✓Water regularly so the compost never dries out completely and is never waterlogged
✓Irregular watering causes split fruit and blossom end rot
✓Start feeding with a high-potash tomato fertiliser once the first fruits form

5 Harvest

Pick fruit when it is fully coloured and slightly soft. Near the end of the season, remove new flowers so the plant ripens the fruit it already has.

This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.

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