Determinate Cherry
Solanum lycopersicum 'Determinate Cherry'
A compact, bushy cherry tomato perfect for containers and small gardens. Produces abundant clusters of sweet, bite-sized fruits all at once, making it ideal for preserving or fresh snacking. The determinate growth habit means no staking required and easy harvest timing.
Harvest
65-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Determinate Cherry in USDA Zone 7
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Determinate Cherry · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store freshly harvested determinate cherry tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for best flavor, as refrigeration diminishes their taste. If you must refrigerate, bring them back to room temperature before eating. Properly stored tomatoes will maintain quality for up to one week on the counter.
For preservation, these cherry tomatoes excel in several methods. Freeze whole tomatoes in freezer bags for up to 8 months – their skins will slip off easily when thawed, perfect for sauces. Dehydrate halved tomatoes in a food dehydrator or low oven (135°F) for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes. The concentrated harvest from determinate plants makes them ideal for batch canning – try whole cherry tomato preserves or tomato sauce. Their small size and sweet flavor also work well for quick pickle preparations.
History & Origin
Determinate cherry tomatoes represent a modern breeding achievement rather than an ancient heirloom variety. The determinate growth habit was developed through selective breeding programs in the mid-20th century, primarily to meet the needs of commercial producers who required uniform ripening for mechanical harvesting.
The compact, bush-type growth pattern was first stabilized in the 1940s and 1950s by agricultural researchers working to create tomatoes suitable for both commercial production and home gardens with limited space. Unlike their wild cherry tomato ancestors from South America, which grew as sprawling indeterminate vines, these hybrids were bred to concentrate their energy into a defined growing period.
This breeding focus on determinate characteristics revolutionized container gardening and small-space growing, making fresh tomato production accessible to urban gardeners and those with limited garden space. The combination of cherry tomato sweetness with determinate reliability has made these varieties particularly popular among beginning gardeners and those seeking predictable harvest timing for preservation projects.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Carrots
Helps break up soil and doesn't compete for nutrients or space
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels various pests and attracts beneficial pollinators
Lettuce
Provides living mulch and utilizes space efficiently without competition
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathy and attracts harmful insects
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, blossom end rot, bacterial speck