About
The plant flowers with yellow, star-shaped flowers, 1-2cm across, that produce green berries, ripening to variable-sized tomatoes. This is the original plant from which all know varieties of tomato have been bred. The original species is quite a large, branching and climbing plant growing up to 2m tall that is perennial subshrub in its native tropical habitat. The stems and leaves are covered with short hairs. There are many different cultivars that bear fruit differing in size, shape and colour.
About the genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible
HabitBushy, Columnar upright, Climbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesHanging basket, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationStart from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly to keep the growing media evenly moist, feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser before switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set. Provide support for cordon tomatoes. See tomato cultivation. For help with diagnosing tomato problems see our video What's gone wrong with my tomatoes?
PruningRemove all side shoots as they appear. Pinch the growing tip when the plant has formed seven trusses under cover or four trusses outdoors
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and tomato moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), blossom end rot, magnesium deficiency, tomato spotted wilt virus and grey moulds under glass