Purple Reign

Purple Reign is a true determinate tomato that grows well in containers and produces large, flavorful purple fruit. It’s known for its high yields and disease resistance, and although it is a true “bush” variety, you’ll still want to use a tomato cage to keep it in line.

“It stays quite compact and doesn’t vine out,” says Luay Ghafari, creator and recipe developer at Urban Farm and Kitchen. “It’s a great option for those who want that heirloom tomato quality, but don’t have the space for more traditional heirlooms—which are for the most part indeterminate.” 

Ghafari recommends a 10-gallon pot at a minimum, but 15 gallons is preferred to yield more vines and fruits. As with any container-grown tomato, watering will be key.

“I recommend using a drip irrigation system with a timer so that your tomato pots are adequately watered,” Ghafari says. “Because there is a limited amount of nutrients for the plants to pull from in a container, I also recommend using a liquid organic fertilizer at least two times during the growing season.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 10
• Size: Up to 3 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil; water regularly

Bush Early Girl

The Bush Early Girl is very similar to traditional Early Girl varieties but stays a more compact size. “It makes a great tomato sauce,” says Anna Ohler, owner of Bright Lane Gardens, a boutique plant nursery. “I recommend this variety for gardeners who want a medium-sized tomato but have limited growing space.” 

Because tomatoes need consistent moisture and will dry out faster in containers, Ohler recommends choosing a larger pot. “It gives gardeners some flexibility on those hot, sunny summer days and will also accommodate the roots of most container-friendly varieties,” she says. “Look for signs of wilting leaves or splitting fruit to indicate the soil is too dry.” 

• Growing Zones: 3 through 10
• Size: Up to 18 inches
• Care requirements: At least six to eight hours of full sun; fertile, well-drained soil; water daily

Principe Borghese

Principe Borghese produces grape-shaped fruit that’s only 1 to 2 ounces, and that has few seeds. “I love the versatility of this one,” says Elizabeth Jones, seed librarian at the public library in Jefferson, Ga. “You can turn it into sauce or preserve it by drying.” 

Tomatoes are prone to blossom end rot, which is caused by two problems—uneven watering and calcium deficiency. Without consistent water, the plants can’t take up calcium the way they need to. “Place a handful of crushed eggshells at the base of the hole before transplanting,” advises Jones. “The calcium in the shells will break down over the growing season, so it’s always there for the plants to take up.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 10
• Size: Up to 6 feet tall
• Care requirements: Up to eight hours of full sun; well-draining, rich soil; water consistently

Midnight Roma

Midnight Roma is a semi-determinate variety—meaning that it will grow tall if allowed but will still produce a significant amount of fruit. “I have been growing it for several years now, and it’s on my must-grow list,” says Ghafari. “The flavor is incredibly sweet, the flesh is deep red, and for a Roma type, it’s quite juicy.”

Ghafari adds a sprinkle of slow-release organic fertilizer when preparing his containers. Even though this variety is semi-determinate, he recommends using a tomato cage or stakes to keep it tidy and contained. 

• Growing Zones: 5 through 9
• Size: Up to 4 feet tall 
• Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil; consistent water

Micro Tom

Perfect for small spaces, windowsills, patios or balconies, the world’s shortest tomato plant grows only 6 to 8 inches tall. “Micro Tom makes up for its small size in how productive it is,” says Jones. “It produces red, cherry-type fruit in only 50 to 60 days. I love how quickly it matures, making it great for colder regions and succession planting.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 9
• Size: Up to 8 inches tall 
• Care Requirements: Up to eight hours of full sun; rich, well-drained soil; consistent moisture

Patio Princess

Patio Princess is bred specifically for containers and typically grows less than 2 feet tall. “I recommend this variety to anyone with a truly limited growing space who still wants to be able to harvest their own fresh cherry tomatoes,” says Ohler. “Production is limited on a plant this small, but it’s still so much better than store-bought.”

Tomatoes are heavy feeders and rely on rich soil and fertilizer to reach their maximum production capacity. “Since we tend to grow tomatoes as annuals, we want them to grow and mature quickly, so we can maximize their harvest over the summer,” says Ohler. “A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer is great in the early stages for overall plant growth and leaf production, and bone meal is a great soil amendment to add additional phosphorus into the soil once the flowering and fruiting stage begins.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 9
• Size: Up to 2 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil; consistent moisture without overwatering

Martino’s Roma

This compact plant produces a more traditional red, plum-shaped tomato with very few seeds. Because of its small size, it doesn’t need much staking—and it’s resistant to early blight.

“Martino’s Roma is excellent for sauces, pastes, and eating fresh,” says Jones. “For anyone who has a health problem that makes eating tomato seeds difficult, try this tomato. It has so few seeds, so it might be a good choice.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 9 
• Size: Up to 4 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-draining soil; consistent moisture

Super Sweet 100

Super Sweet 100 is not a variety bred specifically for containers. However, it’s widely available at nurseries and big box stores, it adapts well to containers, and it delivers clusters of sweet cherry tomatoes. “It’s a very high producer, and one of my favorite varieties overall for its consistency and sweetness,” says Ohler. “It’s the one I recommend most often.” 

Container-grown tomatoes benefit from a practice called bottom pruning. “This method removes the lower leaves from the stem of the tomato as it grows upwards,” adds Ohler. “Since these bottom leaves do not lead to fruit production, removing them can boost growth at the top of the plant, leading to higher yields. Bottom pruning also improves airflow near the base of the plant and reduces the risk of fungus growth or root rot.”

• Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: Up to 6 feet tall 
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, organic soil; consistent moisture

Gourmandise Yellow

This dwarf variety averages about 15 inches tall, needs no trellis, and is perfect for patios, balconies, small spaces, and even windowsills. “You can plant this in a flower pot and turn it into a beautiful centerpiece,” says Jones. “The yellow fruits are sweet with just a hint of tartness. I love the color and the multi-purpose use of turning a vegetable plant into a decoration.”

• Growing Zones: 3 through 10
• Size: About 15 inches tall
• Care requirements: At least six to eight hours of full sunlight; rich, well-draining soil; consistent moisture without overwatering