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What are the Different Types of Tomato Plants?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Thanks to a great deal of tomato cultivation over the last century, there are now over six hundred different types of tomato plants. As the creation of hybrid tomato varieties, several groupings within the tomato family have emerged. Over time, more hybrid combinations are added to many of these groups.

The largest class or group is known as the indeterminate tomato plants. This group includes most of the varieties that are ideal for the home vegetable garden. Tomatoes in this class produce throughout the summer and continue to produce until the onset of morning frosts and cold weather kill the vines. Most of these tomato vines require the use of stakes and tomato cages to support the vines while the tomatoes ripen.

Yellow tomatoes.
Yellow tomatoes.

In contrast, determinate tomato plants tend to ripen early in the season and then cease production. In terms of size and yield, plants in this category are very similar to those found in the indeterminate group. The main difference is the shorter period of production.

Dwarf tomato plants are also very popular. These include the vines that produce small but highly flavorful tomatoes that are often used in salads and similar applications. Because the vines are relatively small in most cases, they can be grown in flowerpots or hanging baskets as easily as in an outside garden. However, there are dwarf tomatoes produced on vines that can grow to a height of the average male and a little beyond. The life cycle of the plants is short in comparison to larger varieties, but the yield during that short period of production is usually ample. Some examples include cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes.

Grape tomatoes are a small tomato variety.
Grape tomatoes are a small tomato variety.

One of the best known varieties of tomato plants is the beefsteak tomato plant. Tomatoes of this type tend to be hardy, although using stakes and cages is usually the best way to keep the large and heavy fruit from breaking the vines. Beefsteak tomato slices are usually large enough to cover an average sized piece of loaf bread.

While ripened beefsteak tomatoes are a favorite in sandwiches and as one of the topping for hamburgers, they can also be consumed while still green. The green tomato is sliced, coated with a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper, then deep-fried to produce a dish enjoyed extensively in the American South known as fried green tomatoes.

There are over 600 types of tomato plants.
There are over 600 types of tomato plants.

Because of the huge number of tomato varieties today, many of them are assigned to more than a single class or group. Some are ideal for use in cold dishes, while others are better suited for making tomato paste, or in the creation of sauces or salsas. Other tomato plants do well in hothouses, and some varieties do not produce well unless they are planted in rich fertile soil and receive a great deal of natural sunlight. This great variety in types of tomato plants has helped to ensure that people can enjoy fresh tomatoes any time of the year, as well as have access to all sorts of processed tomato products at relatively low prices.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including HomeQuestionsAnswered, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including HomeQuestionsAnswered, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

medicchristy

@cmsmith10: I tried the Topsy-Turvy and had great luck with it. I did, however, cut my hand on the wire hanger when I was trying to hang it up. Our tomatoes weren’t huge but we had plenty of them.

GardenTurtle

@cmsmith10: The concept is definitely a unique way of growing tomato plants. I actually ordered one because my sister said hers did so great. My experience was not so great.

Apparently, they need constant watering. My tomatoes started to grow but they all died out before they were big enough to pick. The soil bag holds around 11 quarts so the root system isn’t very big. They get very heavy when they are filled. You need a sturdy place for a hook to hang it on.

cmsmith10

Has anyone tried those topsy-turvy tomato plants that hang upside down? If so, did you have any luck with them? I’ve seen the commercials and have wanted to try them but I don’t know anyone else who has bought them.

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    • Yellow tomatoes.
      By: martinlee
      Yellow tomatoes.
    • Grape tomatoes are a small tomato variety.
      By: crspix
      Grape tomatoes are a small tomato variety.
    • There are over 600 types of tomato plants.
      By: Dusan Kostic
      There are over 600 types of tomato plants.
    • Beefsteak tomatoes are often eaten when unripe, especially in areas where fried green tomatoes are popular.
      By: rolaleksandr
      Beefsteak tomatoes are often eaten when unripe, especially in areas where fried green tomatoes are popular.
    • Green zebra tomatoes are characterized by green skin with yellow stripes.
      By: MediablitzImages
      Green zebra tomatoes are characterized by green skin with yellow stripes.
    • Ripe beefsteak tomatoes are a common topping for hamburgers and sandwiches.
      By: pilipphoto
      Ripe beefsteak tomatoes are a common topping for hamburgers and sandwiches.
    • Robust Mexican salsas are often made with diced beefsteak tomatoes.
      By: JJAVA
      Robust Mexican salsas are often made with diced beefsteak tomatoes.