Tomato plants are vigorous growers, and if left unchecked, they can develop suckers—extra stems that don’t produce flowers or fruit but drain energy from the plant. But should you remove them? When and how should you do it? And what can you do with the cut suckers? Let’s dive into the details!
🌱 What Are Tomato Suckers?
Tomato suckers are small shoots that develop at the intersection of the leaf and main stem. You can spot them easily by looking at the plant’s branching points.
✔ Why Are They Called “Suckers”?
✅ They don’t produce flowers or fruit.
✅ They take energy away from fruit production.
✅ If left unchecked, they can lead to overcrowding, which reduces air circulation and increases the risk of disease.
Some gardeners remove suckers regularly, while others prefer to let their plants grow naturally. But which approach is best?
✂️ Should You Remove Tomato Suckers?
There are two gardening approaches:
🔴 Letting Them Grow: Some gardeners believe in leaving suckers untouched, allowing the plant to grow naturally.
🟢 Pruning Them: Most gardeners prefer to remove suckers to boost fruit quality and plant health.
✔ Benefits of Removing Suckers:
✅ Bigger, juicier tomatoes by directing energy to fruit production.
✅ Better air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
✅ More sunlight exposure, essential for growth.
🧐 Which Tomato Varieties Should Be Pruned?
Before removing suckers, you need to identify your tomato variety:
✔ Indeterminate tomatoes (such as heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes) require regular pruning because they grow continuously.
❌ Determinate tomatoes (like Roma or bush tomatoes) don’t need pruning since they grow to a set height and produce fruit all at once.
❌ Cherry tomatoes ripen quickly and don’t require sucker removal.
⏳ When and How to Remove Tomato Suckers?
✔ Best Time for Pruning:
🗓 Start one month after planting and continue until the last fruit is harvested.
🌞 Remove suckers on a sunny day so the cuts heal quickly (about three days of sun needed for full healing).
✔ How to Remove Suckers Safely:
🔹 Pinching Method: Use your thumb and index finger to pinch off small suckers.
🔹 Cutting Method: For larger suckers, use sharp, disinfected scissors or pruning shears to make a clean cut.
🔹 Remove lower leaves touching the soil to prevent mildew and disease.
♻️ What to Do with Removed Suckers?
Instead of throwing them away, you can replant the suckers and grow new tomato plants!
✔ How to Replant Suckers:
1️⃣ Remove the lower leaves from the sucker.
2️⃣ Dig 10-15 cm deep holes in moist soil.
3️⃣ Plant the suckers in the holes.
4️⃣ Water the base only if the soil is dry.
5️⃣ Mulch with straw for moisture retention.
6️⃣ After 1 week, roots will form, and in 4-6 weeks, you’ll have new tomatoes! 🍅
🌿 Final Thoughts
Removing suckers helps improve tomato production and keeps your plants healthy. However, if you’re growing determinate or cherry tomatoes, you can skip this step. Want more tomatoes? Try replanting the suckers for an endless harvest!
Do you prune your tomato plants or let them grow naturally? Let us know in the comments! 👇🌱🍅
