Tiny Tim
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tiny Tim'
A miniature cherry tomato perfect for windowsills, small containers, and indoor growing. This compact determinate variety produces abundant clusters of tiny, flavorful red fruits on plants that rarely exceed 12 inches tall, making it ideal for apartment dwellers and beginning gardeners.
Harvest
45-60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Tiny Tim in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Tiny Tim · 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 | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | April – June |
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 Tiny Tim tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor, as refrigeration diminishes their sweet-tangy taste. If you must refrigerate ripe fruits, bring them back to room temperature 30 minutes before eating to restore flavor.
For preservation, these tiny tomatoes excel in several methods. Freeze them whole by washing, removing stems, and placing on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags – perfect for adding to soups and sauces later. Their small size makes them ideal for quick pickles: pack into small jars with vinegar, herbs, and spices for tangy preserved tomatoes ready in just 24 hours.
Dehydrate halved fruits in a food dehydrator or low oven (135°F) for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes. Their high skin-to-flesh ratio means they dry faster than larger varieties while retaining concentrated sweetness perfect for salads and pasta dishes.
History & Origin
Tiny Tim was developed in the 1940s by the University of New Hampshire as one of the first tomato varieties specifically bred for container growing and small spaces. Dr. Yeager, the plant breeder behind this variety, recognized the growing need for apartment-friendly vegetables as more Americans moved to urban environments following World War II.
This heirloom variety gained popularity during the 1970s houseplant boom when indoor gardening became a mainstream hobby. Seed companies marketed Tiny Tim as the 'windowsill tomato,' and it became a gateway variety for countless novice gardeners who later expanded to outdoor growing.
The variety represents an early example of plant breeding focused on space efficiency rather than just yield or size. Its genetic stability and reliable performance have kept it popular for over 75 years, making it a true heirloom variety that bridges the gap between ornamental and edible plants. Today, Tiny Tim remains virtually unchanged from its original form, testament to the success of its initial breeding goals.
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 and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve tomato growth
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for space
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Oregano
Repels many pests and may enhance tomato flavor
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and efficient use of garden space
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato hornworm, creating pest problems
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to most common tomato diseases due to compact growth habit
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites (especially indoors), whiteflies
Diseases
Damping off in seedlings, root rot if overwatered