The Best Tomato Seeds of 2024
Usually, as long as you have a place in your garden that receives direct sunlight, tomato seeds should thrive. I’d suggest planting the Burpee Tomato Seeds. They’re my favorite because they are easy to plant, simple to cultivate, and quick to harvest.
How do you feel about tomatoes? Are you someone who snacks on grape tomatoes like nobody else? Maybe more of a fan of cherry tomatoes instead. Either way, for all my tomato fans out there, you should look into whether or not growing tomatoes in your area is feasible.
Our Top Picks For Tomato Seeds
View all ContentsThe Best Tomato Seeds
Best Overall
Get ready for a tomato-growing experience like no other with the Burpee Tomato Seeds! The steakhouse variety is a true showstopper, producing enormous fruits weighing up to 3 pounds. These beefsteak tomatoes are bursting with fresh flavor and fragrance, making them perfect for slicing and adding to your favorite burgers and sandwiches. Prepare to impress your family and friends with these giants in your home garden!
To ensure the best start for your tomato plants, use Burpee’s seed starting kit and sow the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Once the danger of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings into your garden. Remember to harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting. With proper care, you can expect a juicy harvest just 80 days after transplanting, making this pack the best overall on our list.
Pros
- Enormous and flavorful tomatoes
- Easy seed starting process
- Impressive harvest timeline
Cons
- Some seeds did not germinate for users
Best Taste
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most loved varieties of tomatoes across the world. These cherry tomato seeds by Instant Latch come in a pack of 250 and can be used to plant several tomato plants across your yard. Producing tomatoes that are 1 ¼ inch in diameter and take 75 days to mature completely, it is suggested to plant these seeds in warm weather with full exposure to the sun.
These tomato seeds are our favorite because they produce tomatoes with a delectable taste. And with so many seeds, you’ll be sure to produce quite a big bunch of tomatoes in the comfort of your own home garden.
Pros
- You can grow quite a few tomatoes
- You can grow them indoors
Cons
- The germination rate is not consistent
Best Features
Gardener’s Basics Tomato Seeds are for anyone who wants to cultivate several different types of tomatoes. You get eight different varieties of tomatoes that include San Marzano, Large Cherry, Ace 55 VF, Roma VF, Tomatillo, Yellow Pear, Brandywine Pink, and Golden Jubilee. The pack also comes with eight free plant markers so you can keep track of which seeds you planted—making it a perfect gifting option for yourself or the gardeners in your life.
These seeds are packed in professional, waterproof packaging that keeps the seeds safe from water exposure. The packet also comes with additional information about the seeds and instructions on how to properly sow and harvest them.
Pros
- The seeds come in a waterproof packet
- You can grow eight different varieties
- Comes with free plant markers
Cons
- The tomatoes have a bland taste
Best Variety
If variety is your thing, then this pack of tomato seeds by Sweet Yards is just the product for you. You get nine different varieties of tomatoes in this pack that includes Yellow Brandywine, Green Zebra, Three Sisters, Principe Borghese, Pink Brandywine, Roma, Yellow Pear, Amish Paste, and Valencia. And aside from being natural and 100% GMO-free, the seeds have a germination rate of 90%—which is quite fruitful provided you get so many different types of plants with this pack.
Another plus? The packaging comes with instructional guides on the back that give you a detailed description of how you can plant the seeds properly.
Pros
- You can get nine varieties of tomatoes
- USDA organic approved
- Seeds are GMO-free
Cons
- The germination rate is inconsistent
Best Value
Ohio Heirloom Seeds’ Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds are unique because they have a striking purple and rose color that sets them apart from all other varieties of tomatoes. The flavor of this variant is both sweet and smoky, which can add a delicious flair to your food and sauces.
Each packet contains 75 seeds that make it easy for you to plant them across the garden. Yielding a considerable size of tomatoes, you’ll get heavy crop yields in no time and may even have enough to share with your social circle. This variant of tomatoes is quite popular because it can produce fruits in any condition.
Pros
- You get high yields
- Seed count is plentiful
- The cultivar’s growing conditions are versatile
Cons
- The germination rate is inconsistent
The Best Tomato Seeds: A Buyer's Guide
Tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many dishes and cuisines around the world. There is no savory dish that cannot be improved with the addition of some tomatoes, and this buying guide will walk you through all the necessary steps of how to grow good tomatoes.
The Different Varieties of Tomatoes
The following includes some of the best and most popular tomato cultivars that are being harvested across the world.
Red cherry tomato
This variety is widely used globally and is known for its high crop yield and spectacular, tangy taste. Perfect for sauces and salads, these tomatoes are large and are really easy to care for.
Chocolate cherry tomato
As the name suggests, these tomatoes are the color of chocolate. Known for being resistant to cracking, they will hang from their vine for a longer time.
Roma tomato
These tomatoes are widely used for canning purposes and are perfect for making sauces. Medium in size, they are quite juicy and perfect for making sauces.
Ace 55 tomato
While quite low in acidity, these tomatoes are great for canning.
The Right Way to Grow Tomatoes
It can be quite difficult to grow perfect tomatoes as they require a lot of caretaking. Here are some tips that can help you grow tomatoes the right way:
- Tomato seeds require a lot of direct light. To promote germination and steady growth, you should put them under strong grow lights or behind a shade cloth.
- Tomato seedlings need a lot of room to grow, hence why it is recommended to sow a single plant per pot. If you’re planting outdoors, your measurement should be based on the unit.
- Tomato seedlings require air circulation for strong, sturdy stems. If your tomato plant is indoors, you need to keep them near an open window.
- If you’re growing in a garden, it can be helpful to keep the soil warm using a plastic cover.
- To prevent fungus growth, you need to cut down the older leaves when your tomato plant reaches a height of 3 feet.
How to Choose the Right Tomato Seeds
Several issues may arise when growing tomatoes, including but not limited to:
Disease resistant
Tomatoes are prone to getting many soil diseases, which can be detrimental to crop yield and health. This is why you must check the seed package to see whether the seeds you’re buying identity as verticillium and fusarium wilt resistant. These are two very common soil diseases that are found in tomatoes. Some other diseases to be wary of are Alternaria and the tobacco mosaic virus.
Maturity period
The growth witnessed between the seedling and adult stage is also important to consider. If the maturity period is longer than the growing season in your region, then you may not be able to see your plants reach fruition.
People Also Asked
Which tomato tastes the best?
While all tomatoes have a distinct taste that makes them a favorite for the masses, Aunt Ruby’s German Green Tomatoes are known as the tastiest tomatoes out there.
Can I grow tomatoes in a pot?
Tomatoes can be grown indoors as potted plants. They will require some additional upkeep and attention, but you can have cute little tomatoes within the four walls of your home as well.
Which tomatoes are the most popular?
The most popular tomatoes used throughout the world are globe tomatoes. Capable of growing to medium and large sizes, they are great for use in sandwiches.
Can I grow any tomato variety in my zone?
Since your tomato’s success will be dependent on the zone you live in, it’s important to make note of your local weather patterns prior to planting. For example, living in zones 11 and up indicates you live in a warmer climate—making it easier for you to grow a variety of crops year-round.
Can I use neem oil to kill insects on my tomato plant?
While neem oil is an effective and organic solution to a majority of pests, the state of your infestation may call for a stronger solution.
