10 Types Of Tomato That Flourish When Grown In Hanging Baskets

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are an incredibly common addition to gardens, and for good reason: They're fairly easy to grow, yield delicious and fruitful harvests, and are major ingredient in a massive array of recipes. If you don't have a very large outdoor area to work with, however, you might think that your hopes of plucking fresh tomatoes off of the vine are pure fantasy. Wide swaths of space are certainly necessary for cultivating some crops, but tomatoes aren't included on that list. By choosing smaller varieties that will thrive in hanging baskets, like 'Garden Pearl,' 'Tiny Tim,' and 'Tumbler,' you can be well on your way to creating a patio vegetable garden that's sure to be the envy of your neighbors.

Before you get started, however, it's important to understand the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties. Determinate tomatoes plants grow to a certain size, then stop, often maxing out when they're a small bush. Indeterminate varieties keep growing, extending long vines that often require the support of a large trellis. To create your hanging garden, you'll want to primarily stick with determinate varieties that can be more easily controlled and maintained, though there are some notable exceptions.

While it's less important if you're growing specifically for food, another major consideration is appearance. Certain tomato varieties trail a bit more than others, helping to create a pretty, cascading look as they grow. Choosing one of these varieties and planting it in a hanging basket that's at least 1 foot wide and deep is sure to create a stylish, productive, and lush addition to your space.

'Garden Pearl' tomatoes, also often sold under the name 'Gartenperle,' are quite literally made for growing in baskets. The fruits are small, the branches delicately trail, and it's considered one of the easier varieties to grow. Originally hailing from Germany — note the non-English original name and subsequent translation — this is a traditional variety that was first developed in the '80s. The fruits have skin that's resistant to cracking, a lovely, developed flavor, and a harvest season that's earlier than many other varieties. What's not to love?

If you want a tomato variety that will stay compact enough for even the smallest spaces, 'Tiny Tim' is the one for you. As implied by the name, this is one of the smallest options out there, officially considered a micro variety. They only grow between 12 and 18 inches tall and can do well in pots as small as 4 inches. With that being said, however, their yield is far from miniscule. While you won't get massive slicing tomatoes off of this plant, it produces an abundant harvest of 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inch fruits.

'Tumbler' tomatoes are many gardeners' go-to pick for tomatoes to grow in hanging baskets because they've been specifically designed for the job. This variety is heat-resistant, has stems that cascade over the edges of planters, and can yield a whopping 6 pounds of small fruits. 'Tumbler' plants also continue to fruit throughout the season, so if your goal is to have a steady supply of tomatoes that are perfect for snacking or adding to salads during the spring and summer months, this is a great option.

While 'Tumbling Tom' has a very similar name to 'Tumbler', they're not actually the same variety. With that being said, however, they are both regular picks for the best tomatoes to grow in hanging planters. The branches that emerge from your 'Tumbling Tom' plant can cascade up to 24 inches, making it an option that's highly ornamental when properly styled. This variety doesn't just offer a pretty face, though — it's known to produce heavy yields of vibrant yellow or red fruits between 1 and 2 inches wide.

While most tomato varieties produce fruits that are round, 'Peardrops' is a bit different. As the name suggests, these plants develop fruits that are a bit more oblong with a slight neck, looking almost like miniature pears. These are a perfect pick if you want to leave your guests puzzled by what you're growing outside, especially considering their pretty yellow color. With cascading tendrils, they're perfect for hanging planters, though they are an indeterminate variety. Because of this, those working with especially limited space should be cautious.

'Little Birdy Red Robin,' like 'Tiny Tim,' is an especially small tomato plant that's ideal for more compact areas. This pick is even smaller, however, topping out between 8 and 12 inches tall at its peak. While its cute name is a bit silly, it's a good way to remember the flavor profile of its fruits — extra sweet, just like its title. Its size makes it perfect for growing in containers or hanging baskets, and because it's so tiny, plenty have also enjoyed bringing it indoors for even easier access to its harvest.

'Cherry Falls' is another compact, determinate grower that's often recommended for container planting and growing in hanging baskets. The "falls" designation comes from the way the plant's branches lazily drape over the rim of their chosen container, creating a line of fruits on the vine that seem to cascade their way down the side of the pot. These growers, like many other small tomato varieties, will produce mature fruit in just 65 to 70 days — you won't have to wait long to taste their classic cherry tomato flavor.

If you're worried about your hanging tomatoes developing diseases, there's one easy way to prevent blight before it starts: Investing in a disease-resistant variety like 'Cherry Blast.' This determinate variety checks both boxes for becoming a hanging planter candidate — it's both determinate and has a trailing habit — but its high level of resistance, great adaptability, and especially high yield help to set it apart from the competition. 'Cherry Blast' also only takes 47 days to fully mature, so you can enjoy your harvest even more quickly than some other varieties.

We think 'Lizzano' tomatoes are great, but if you don't believe us, maybe All American Selections can convince you. This variety was crowned the winner of the edible vegetable category in 2011, and is specifically noted by the organization as being a great option for growing in hanging baskets. It's semi-determinate, fairly compact, and particularly resistant to blight, so you should have no worries about growing it on your patio. It also produces tons of especially flavorful, succulent fruit, making it a great pick for adding some flavor to your summer meals.

While the 'Patio Choice' title might imply that this variety of tomato is one of the tiniest included in our roundup, that isn't the truth. These determinate plants are still fairly small compared to indeterminate varieties, maxing out at around 30 inches, but they make more of a sizable statement than 'Tiny Tim' or 'Little Birdy Red Robin.' They were bred for the purpose of growing on a patio, including within a hanging planter, and thanks to their trailing growth, they can make for a stunning accent.