Taxonomy
Plant Type
Learn About Plant Type
Tomato plants can be divided into several basic groups according to their growth type. Each of them is characterized by features that make certain types of growth dedicated to cultivation in the field, others in greenhouses or in hanging baskets and pots. The growth type of the tomato plant is also important when choosing the type of support. The following characteristics contain the most important features of various types of tomato plant growth along with illustrative photos.
Determinate
Determinate tomato plants tend to be shorter than indeterminate and can reach a certain height and then stop growing. Determinate tomatoes are characterized by bushy growth that does not require support, in normal cases. Those varieties are the perfect choice for small gardens or for container growing. The majority of those types of tomato plants produce fruit within a much shorter period of time and after harvesting, they can be removed.
Dwarf
Dwarf tomato plants rarely grow higher than 2 or 3 feet and can be both - determinate or indeterminate. They are the perfect choice for container growing.
Indeterminate
Indeterminate tomato plants grow continuously and producing fruit through the entire growing season, until frost. Most indeterminate tomato plants grow very tall and can reach even 10 feet. This type of tomato varieties need support.
Mini Dwarf/Micro/Basket
Micro dwarf tomatoes are varieties, that usually grow to about (5-10 inches tall). The smallest ones can reach only about 3 inches. They are very beautiful little plants, that can be grown even on the windowsill all year long.
Multiflora
Multiflora type tomato plants produce huge trusses of flowers and fruit.
Rugose Dwarf
As the name says, this is a type of dwarf tomato plant with rugose leaf foliage. Those plants can have both – potato and regular rugose leaves.
Semi-Determinate
The semi-determinate tomatoes are typical determinate types except in the length of the branches. That is why they are somewhere in between the true determinate and true indeterminate tomatoes. This type of tomato plants need support.