28 Homegrown Tomatoes Ranked From Hardest To Easiest To Grow

Tomatoes have been a staple in every garden I've ever worked in, from the massive gardens in my family's 3-acre hobby farm to the small backyard garden at my grandmother's — and the container garden I now have in my apartment. Tomatoes are always the star, and for good reason. You can use fresh cherry tomatoes for garden salads or afternoon snacking, plum or roma tomatoes for making paste or marinara sauce, and beefsteak tomatoes for slicing and juicing. Every summer, the garden is filled with the same staples that consistently grow well in each garden, but I like to always pick a few new varieties to try out. Throughout the years, I've learned that some tomatoes are simple to grow in almost any garden as long as proper care is provided consistently. Other varieties can be quite picky, or are just more prone to issues. 

In considering which homegrown tomatoes are the hardest versus the easiest to grow, the question is really about which varieties are pickier than others. Growing results depend on a wide number of factors, and a tomato variety that works well for one gardener could be exceedingly difficult for another. Ultimately, most tomatoes face the same challenges of disease, cracking, and blossom-end rot. But with the right supply of nutrients, consistent temperatures, and reliable water, any of these varieties can be grown. Unfortunately, there are some that take a bit more work, monitoring, and trial and error to produce reliable results.

'Brandywine' tomatoes are treasured for flavor, making them one of the most popular heirloom varieties, but they're also one of the most difficult. Heirlooms are commonly thought to be harder to grow than hybrids, and while that's not always true, 'Brandywine' tomatoes lack resistance to diseases and cracking that hybrids are bred for. I've always seen issues with cracking and it feels almost guaranteed that some of your 'Brandywine' tomatoes will split if there's any inconsistency in watering. They're also known for being prone to blossom-end rot, low yields, falling over, and pest attraction.

Another large variety that's praised for quality and size but takes quite a bit of work to grow successfully is the heirloom 'Mortgage Lifter.' For beginners, this finicky tomato variety might not be worth growing in the garden. It is more disease resistant than 'Brandywine' tomatoes, but because of its size and weight, you need a good handle on building proper support to find success. I've had trouble getting the support just right to prevent issues. Climate also plays a huge role, as 'Mortgage Lifter' is a heat-loving variety that doesn't tolerate drastic temperature changes or frost.

You may notice a trend with the third hardest-to-grow variety, 'Black Beauty.' Another large variety that grows on tall vines, this dark-colored indeterminate is also the first hybrid on the list. Since they grow up to 8 feet tall, you'll need to stay on top of pruning and use the right support for your tomato plants, which I've found just as difficult as 'Mortgage Lifter'. You will also need to be consistent with waterings to prevent cracking. Experienced tomato gardeners may find 'Black Beauty' worth the effort, but it's not the best option for beginners.

'Orange Oxheart' looks like a novelty tomato, but there's more to it. It grows in a large heart shape with a bright orange color and is known for having deep flavor that's perfect for canning. Setting up the growing area for your 'Orange Oxheart' isn't too difficult aside from adding support, but many gardeners, including myself, have a tough time keeping them healthy enough to reach maturity. As an heirloom tomato, it isn't bred for any particular disease resistance, which means they can be more susceptible to problems like blossom-end rot.

'Cherokee Purple' tomatoes are commonly homegrown and are well worth the effort, but cracking is one of the problems I see the most, making them tough for beginners. They're another heirloom with a bit of novelty value thanks to the deep purple color, and the flavor is fantastic. Unfortunately, many growers have problems with getting consistent yields. They also aren't very disease resistant, so you may see issues with blight alongside pests. Another common issue is getting the seedlings to survive past germination. Overall, they are easier than other beefsteaks, but not quite what I would consider easy.

If you're looking for a slicer tomato that can handle many diseases, I find the award-winning 'Mountain Merit' easier to grow than heirloom beefsteak tomatoes. It was specifically bred to resist fusarium wilt, root-rot nematode, gray leaf spot, Verticillium wilt, late blight, and tomato spotted wilt. Unfortunately, due to the size of 'Mountain Merit' tomatoes, inconsistencies in rainfall still cause cracking. Plus, I've encountered more issues than I would like when it comes to pests and blossom-end rot. For beginners, it may take a few years of trial and error to get it just right.

As the smallest tomato variety, 'Spoon Tomatoes' have more use as a novelty crop than in culinary applications. Although they can quickly outgrow their space and require trellising, the issue with 'Spoon Tomatoes' isn't necessarily in growing, but in harvesting. Because they're ridiculously tiny, I've found that they are an absolute nightmare to pick. Even if you don't get tired of the painstaking process of plucking each toy-sized tomato from the vine, the size makes them prone to tearing during the harvest process. And, as you can imagine, one tear means the end for the entire tomato.

'Carmellos' tomatoes are widely considered a vigorous tomato to grow in the garden, but that doesn't mean they're easy for all gardeners. I've always felt that they had very particular needs compared to similar varieties, but they are also disease resistant. Beyond production, 'Carmellos' are grown for their versatile cooking uses in both fresh and cooked dishes. They require consistent water and temperatures with high stakes and pruning to produce the high yields that they are praised for. 'Carmellos' aren't necessarily difficult, but if you're looking for something low-maintenance, consider something further down on the list.

'Ramblers' are a great option for experienced gardeners to get large, round fruit with big yields. In fact, they are considered a tomato variety that produces the biggest harvest. Those willing to take on the challenge of growing a variety that needs ground staking may find success with this hybrid determinate. Even though 'Ramblers' are considered disease-resistant, I've seen their quick, dense growth lead to issues because it creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases and blossom-end rot. Without proper airflow, ramblers become susceptible to these fungal disease, which can be challenging for beginners to deal with.

Even though 'San Marzano' is a cherry variety, which are generally considered very easy to grow, I've always had issues with blossom-end rot. I could do everything right and have consistent conditions for the entire growing season and still see my hard work go to waste in the end. I usually plant several plants to ensure a decent harvest. You'll also need to stake them for support and regularly prune them to promote healthy airflow. That being said, they are notably one of the best pasta tomatoes, and they're commonly used for pizza and pasta sauces.

'Citrine Cherry' tomatoes are an orange cherry tomato variety often praised for sweetness and color. They are generally considered easy to grow, but it really depends on your location and climate. 'Citrine Cherry' is very similar to 'Sungold', but some gardeners say they can only grow one or the other. I've grown tomatoes all around the country and I've found that where 'Sungold' grows, 'Citrine Cherry' may not thrive and vice versa. They do require a trellis to support substantial growth, but they are crack resistant and known to thrive in harsh environments.

'Boxcar Willie' is a medium-sized heirloom variety that most gardeners can grow successfully with little experience and few problems. Staking them isn't a requirement, but I find that it can make harvesting them much easier. While they aren't resistant to disease, they are known to be relatively tolerant of most problems that tomato growers usually face, which makes it a great variety for beginners. 'Boxcar Willie' is also relatively versatile in the kitchen, with good applications for fresh and canned dishes.

'Black Krim' is considered an easy black tomato variety to grow in your home garden. Of course, that doesn't mean it isn't without its challenges, which is why it stands in the "moderately easy" section of this list. It's known for being juicy with good flavor, but I've noticed that some years, I can have trouble getting full yields, which seems to be a common opinion among growers. The biggest issue with 'Black Krim' seems to come from growers in regions with inconsistent rain or dry heat, so it may be best for northern climates.

'Patio Choice' is an award-winning hybrid yellow cherry tomato that is disease resistant. It's a great choice for beginners because the tomatoes grow on short vines that are perfect for containers or even hanging baskets. That being said, since the vines only reach about 18 inches, it may not be the best choice if you're looking for a variety to gain experience in common tomato care. I've seen problems with vine-ripe 'Patio Choice' splitting, so you may want to harvest the variety early. They also may need more water than other varieties when grown in hanging baskets.

It is a common belief that beefsteak tomatoes are some of the most difficult tomatoes to grow in your garden, but 'Big Beef' is great for beginners. If you're looking for the best tomato variety for the perfect harvest without splitting, this hybrid is a great option. It's one of the most common beefsteak suggestions for beginners because it produces large, smooth slicer tomatoes without the issues you face when growing heirlooms like 'Mortgage Lifter.' Of course, I still find it takes effort to tackle the challenge of supporting the heavy, large fruit until they reach maturity.

Another large beefsteak tomato that can be grown easily for both experienced gardeners and beginners is the 'Park's Whopper.' Unlike with other beefsteaks, cracking is the least of your worries with this hybrid variety that has been bred specifically to prevent splitting and diseases. I've found that these massive, flavorful slicer tomatoes are also huge producers that can provide impressive yields for homegrowers if they are given the right conditions. The biggest challenge is managing the vigorous growth by providing high stakes that can support their heavy growth and provide airflow.

'Sungold' is praised for its value as a snacking tomato due to the burst of sweet flavor, best experienced when it's taken right off the vine. I think managing the vines is easy, but cracking is a common issue. In addition, some people also report issues with varied germination and yields. On the flip side, they are disease-resistant, and you can get around the cracking issue by harvesting them a week early.

Moving on to some of the easiest tomatoes homegardeners can grow, 'Sakura' is a cherry tomato that has essentially no issues. Of course, you still need to provide the ideal growing conditions, as well as consistent nutrients and water. I've found that as long as you handle the essentials, these disease-resistant hybrids can produce all season long. Many people also appreciate the fact that 'Sakura' is an early variety that ripens in about 55 days. Plus, it has a firm texture that helps protect it from cracking.

'Rutgers' is an heirloom tomato variety that doesn't compromise on flavor for marketability, which makes it a really great option for home gardeners. 'Rutgers' is generally considered suitable for northern climates, but is also adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. I've noticed that the drought-resistance makes it much easier to grow than other large heirlooms. Plus, 'Rutgers' is ideal as both a slicer and a cooking tomato. You will need to provide support and prune these large heirlooms to provide the ideal growing environment.

'Better Boy' is a hybrid slicer tomato that is commonly recommended for beginners, especially in hot climates. It is also pretty firm, which makes it less likely to split than some of the harder-to-grow heirlooms. Many people praise 'Better Boy' for its flavor, too, though some have reported being unimpressed with the yield they get from the tomatoes. I personally haven't had issues growing this one, but lower yields could indicate that other factors like soil, rain, and support influence the quality of the harvest a bit more than some of the easiest varieties on the list.

'Jet Star' is highly recommended by home growers online for beginners, and for good reason. They are a medium indeterminate tomato variety, and in my own experience, they take very little effort to produce a good harvest. They are resistant to some diseases, and they have been bred to prevent cracking. Ultimately, there isn't much to say about the downsides of growing 'Jet Star' tomatoes, but they're better for fresh recipes than canning due to the low acidity.

'Supersonic' is another hybrid slicer tomato that I find much easier to grow than heirlooms, but unlike 'Better Boy,' it performs better in northern climates. It's another great choice for beginners because it is resistant to disease and cracking. Due to their size and growing habits, you will need to provide support for 'Supersonic' tomatoes. It's worth noting that some gardeners are discouraged by how long they take to reach maturity, which can be almost 80 days.

'Roma' tomatoes are well known as a commercial variety because they are marketable and firm, which makes them great for shipping. But they have value in a home garden as well. I honestly never have an issue getting a good harvest from 'Romas'. The flavor isn't anything to get excited about in fresh dishes, but it's perfect for sauces and canning. Plus, they have a lot of value for beginner gardens because they are so easy to grow. 'Roma' tomatoes are resistant to diseases and cracks, and they produce a consistent harvest all at once.

'Sweet 100' is the tomato variety people are talking about when they say growing cherry tomatoes is easy. Most gardeners find success with growing 'Sweet 100' in the ground or in containers. You will need to provide support, but as long as you do that, the rest is hard to mess up. These sweet, snacking tomatoes are disease resistant, adding more value for beginner gardeners. I've never had much issue with cracking, which is my favorite part, because they really are best straight off the vine.

I am a bit biased when it comes to 'Yellow Pear' tomatoes because they aren't just easy to grow; they are also delicious, making them quite possibly my favorite variety. That being said, I couldn't rank them as the absolute easiest to grow. Even though they are very beginner friendly, they need support, and it takes a while to learn the best time to harvest. On the positive side, they aren't prone to disease or cracking, and they last days on the vine after ripening without going bad.

'Early Girl' got its name for its quick maturity rate, which also makes it a tomato variety you can plant in the fall. However, I prefer to plant early in the season, so I can continue harvesting healthy-sized tomatoes all season long. 'Early Girl' isn't just a fast grower; it's also very easy to grow successfully. This medium-size hybrid is great for cooking, too, because it doesn't compromise on flavor in favor of disease resistance. It is commonly grown by beginners, but some seasoned growers keep it in rotation due to the reliability of the harvest.

Another medium-sized globe tomato that I've felt is dependable and easy to grow is the 'Celebrity' tomato. This hybrid is a favorite among beginners and seasoned growers alike. It checks all the boxes: disease resistance, crack resistance, high yields, and flavor. It does need stakes or cages, but it's a great choice to get started with learning. You can use 'Celebrity' tomatoes as a slicer, but they are also great for salads, canning, or freezing. Experienced growers have also noted that 'Celebrity' is reliable for getting tomatoes every year, even if your other plants fail.

The easiest tomato I have ever grown is the 'Sweet Million,' which is especially hard to mess up. If you like cherry tomatoes, 'Sweet Million' is a beginner-friendly variety that you should definitely give a try. It's always a good idea to give your cherry tomatoes some support, but beyond that, you won't have much to worry about with this sweet, snacking variety. As always, do your best to provide quality nutrients, water, temperature, sunlight, and airflow.