Park's Guide to the Best Cherry Tomatoes

The first time I tasted a sun-warmed cherry tomato straight from the vine, I stopped thinking of tomatoes as something that belonged in a grocery store. The skin gave way with a soft pop, and the inside was sweet, almost floral, with just enough acid to make my mouth water. That one tomato changed the way I garden.

Cherry tomatoes are among the first plants I recommend to new gardeners. I always make space for them in my own beds. They germinate quickly, grow like they have something to prove, and turn a patch of soil or a patio pot into the most productive spot in the garden. Even one plant can give you more fruit than you expect. Once they start ripening, you'll find yourself checking them every morning and handing out extras.

If you're starting cherry tomatoes from seed this season, this guide covers everything I’ve learned over the years, along with advice from the Park Seed team. From selecting the right variety to keeping your plants producing, it's all here to help you grow with confidence.

Why Cherry Tomatoes Are a Garden Favorite

Cherry tomatoes are quick to mature, packed with flavor, and surprisingly low-maintenance. They don’t take up much room, they handle heat well, and they keep producing if you stay on top of harvesting. You don’t need a big backyard or a complicated setup. Just sun, good soil, and a little consistency.

Here’s what makes them worth growing:

• Fast harvest window with ripe fruit about 60 to 70 days after sowing
• Continuous yields that last all summer
• Incredible flavor with a sweetness and complexity you can’t buy in stores
• Perfect for small spaces like patios, balconies, and raised beds
• Fun and approachable for beginners, kids, and anyone who loves to snack while they garden

How to Start Cherry Tomatoes from Seed

Starting tomatoes from seed gives you more variety, better control, and stronger plants. I usually start mine indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.

My go-to process:

• Use a seed starting mix in trays or cells. Avoid using garden soil indoors.
• Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Use a heat mat to keep soil temperature around 75 to 85°F for faster germination.
• Place seedlings under grow lights or a bright window as soon as they sprout.
• Transplant into larger pots once roots fill the starter cells.
• Harden off seedlings before planting outside by gradually introducing them to sunlight and wind over a week.

Favorite Cherry Tomato Varieties (And Why I Grow Them)

These are the varieties I trust in my own garden and the ones we hear the most about from Park Seed customers. They vary in color, growth habit, and flavor profile, but they all produce heavily and consistently throughout the season.

Tomato Supersweet 100 Hybrid 65 days. This is a crowd favorite for a reason. It produces large clusters of fruit and has more Vitamin C than most other tomatoes. Great flavor and long harvest window.

Tomato Sweet Million Hybrid 65 days. A little larger than Supersweet 100 and just as productive. It grows strong and steady, even in variable weather.

Tomato Tumbling Tom 70 days. Perfect for baskets or containers. This variety trails over the edge and covers itself in small red fruit. Decorative and delicious.

Tomato Chocolate Cherry 70 days. Deep purple color with rich, earthy flavor. These are showy on the vine and even better in a salad. One of the most unique varieties I’ve grown.

More of My Favorites

Quick Tips for Success