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Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants home gardeners opt for in veggie gardens. Sometimes they plant seedlings because they think it’s an easier route. Some people prefer planting seeds because there are so many varieties to choose from. Better still, tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow from seed.
When you get it right, seeds will produce a lot more tomatoes, which will also make this option more cost-effective. And even if you have some failures, you’ll still have a lot more tomato plants in your home garden.
We all have different tastes, but I’ve noticed that cherry tomatoes sell out much more quickly at our local supermarkets than other regular-sized tomatoes. I rank cherry tomatoes as the best tomatoes ever, despite the fact that they have a shorter shelf life and, along with other specialty types, are generally more expensive in-store than regular, typically hybrid, tomatoes.
The good news is that they aren’t difficult to grow from seeds, which will dramatically reduce costs. They are also fast-growing. The challenge, though, is to choose exactly which cherry tomato seeds to plant.
Cherry Tomato Varieties
With so many options available, it helps to know what distinguishes one variety from another before buying seeds, especially in terms of taste. That’s why we decided to compare cherry tomato varieties by color and shape as well as their strongest features, growing habits, and suitability for different gardens. While most cherry tomatoes are considered to be “bite-sized,” bites vary, so we’ve added an approximate fruit size as well.
We’ve also added seed sources to help you find the right option for your next growing season. Just be sure to check whether suppliers have the seeds you want in stock.
Cherry Tomatoes at a Glance
| Variety | Color and Shape | Fruit Size | Best For | Standout Features |
| Large Red Cherry Organic | Bright cherry red; round | 1–1.25 inches; 25.4–31.75 mm | Snacking, fresh salads, quick cooking recipes | Classic red cherry tomato |
| Sweetie Organic | Bright cherry red; round | 1–1.5 inches; 25.4–38.1 mm | Sweet everyday snacking | Super-sweet flavor |
| Tiny Tim | Cherry red; round | About 0.75 inches; 19 mm | Planting in pots, on patios, and in small gardens | Dwarf plant that grows in small spaces and containers |
| Fruit Punch | Deep pink to red; round | 0.75–1 inch; 19–25.4 mm | Growing in humid or rainy growing conditions | Crack resistance |
| Sungold | Tangerine orange; round | About 1 inch; 25.4 mm | Exceptional sweetness with fruity flavor | Eating fresh from the vine so they pop in your mouth |
| Golden Nugget | Deep yellow; slightly oval | 0.75–1 inch; 19–25.4 mm | Short growing seasons (early harvest) | Early seedless fruits with thin skin; good for containers |
| Yellow Pear | Yellow; pear-shaped | 1–2 inches long and 1–1.5 inches in diameter; 25–50 mm long and 25–38 mm in diameter | Salads and colorful platters | Distinctive pear shape and early harvest |
| Black Cherry | Deep purple, mahogany brown; round | 1 inch; 25.4 mm | Roasting and savory dishes | Complex rich, earthy flavor |
All but one of the cherry tomatoes on our list are open-pollinated heirloom cultivars. Because these aren’t proprietary hybrid seeds, they aren’t produced commercially by a single corporate grower. Rather, they are produced by several seed companies. This is why we have listed several brand names, along with extra details, for the individual entries below.
8 Best Cherry Tomatoes
This is totally subjective, because the truth is there’s no single “best” variety that applies to every garden.
The best cherry tomato varieties will deliver the flavor that appeals to you while suiting your garden, growing conditions, and available space. Some produce exceptionally sweet fruit for snacking, while others stand out for their unusual colors, early harvests, or suitability for growing in containers. If splitting tomatoes is a recurring problem in your garden, choosing a variety with good crack resistance may be the best option for you.
It’s worth noting that most, but not all, cherry tomatoes are indeterminate. They grow on vines, with healthy plants providing a continuous supply of fruit throughout the season, until they die. Determinate tomatoes, like the Tiny Tim and Golden Nugget on our list, produce their crop on a bush over a short period of time.
Best Classic Red Cherry Tomatoes: Large Red Cherry Organic
Large Red Cherry Organic seeds produce fruits on vines that grow up to five to six feet high. They grow in big clusters, producing fruits that are bite-sized and extra-sweet, ideal for salads and snacks.
While these cherry tomatoes grow best in sunny conditions during the summer and fall, they produce throughout the growing season. They’ll thrive in a veggie garden bed, but they can also be grown successfully in a container that is bigger than 18 inches in diameter.
Large Red Cherry Organic seeds are produced and sold by Ferry-Morse, Annie’s Heirloom Seeds, San Diego Seed Company, and other major retailers.
Best Sweetie Cherry Tomatoes: Sweetie Organic
The name of this deliciously sweet, bite-sized cherry tomato tells the story. Incredibly sweet with low acidity, Sweetie Organics make superb snacks on a party tray.
Originally introduced by the Petoseed Company in California, the seeds have been available commercially since 1980. Because it is an open-pollinated, heirloom variety, it is now produced by several seed growers in the US.
You can find them at Ferry-Morse, San Diego Seed Company, True Leaf Market Seed Company, and other major retailers.
Best Dwarf Cherry Tomatoes to Grow in Pots: Tiny Tim
A true dwarf tomato, Tiny Tim is a determinate variety that was originally bred at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and introduced way back in 1945. Because it is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, it is now produced and sold by numerous seed companies worldwide, including those we have listed below.
Known as the original window box tomato, it is a vigorous grower that thrives in pots and small spaces.
Tiny Tim seeds are produced and sold by Hudson Valley Seed Co., Page’s Seeds, TomatoFest, Victory Seed Co., to name a few.
Best Crack-Resistant Cherry Tomatoes: Fruit Punch
Developed in Ohio, Fruit Punch cherry tomatoes are an indeterminate, open-pollinated heirloom variety that is now produced by several seed companies, including those listed below. Prolific producers, they are super sweet with thin skin, yet they are incredibly crack-resistant.
Get your Fruit Punch tomato seeds from HRSeeds, Meraki Seeds, or TomatoFest.
Best Sweet, Fruity Cherry Tomatoes: Sungold
Sungold F1 (first generation) Cherry Tomatoes were bred by the Japanese Tokita Seed Company, which produced the very first cherry tomatoes in Japan. Today, they produce a range of cherry tomato seeds that yield fruits in a palette of colors including red, purple, chocolatey red, yellow, orange, and green.
Oddly, their Sungold variety never took off in Japan, though they’ve been popular in the U.S. since the 1990s. These golden-orange Sungold Cherry Tomatoes are exceptionally sweet, and they have an intense fruity flavor, which explains their success.
Growing them in a home garden is a great option because the plants are prolific producers in warm and cold conditions. However, they do have a tendency to split, which is problematic for shipping. They are also sensitive to shifts in weather conditions and need consistent watering.
You can find Sungold seeds at authorized U.S. retailers like Johnny’s Selected Seeds or Victory Seed Co.
Best Early Seedless Cherry Tomatoes: Golden Nugget
A mild, flavorful cherry tomato, Golden Nugget is juicy, with a thin, tender skin. It’s prolific and, because it is a determinate (bush) variety, it’s compact, spreads laterally, and doesn’t need to be staked. Most of these little tomatoes are seedless right through the season. This makes them great for snacking.
The Golden Nugget was developed in the early 1980s at Oregon State University, which owns its genetics. It was bred for cool climates but reportedly thrives in warmer conditions as well.
Today, it is produced and sold by several seed companies, like Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Tomato Growers Supply Company, and Victory Seed Co.
Best Yellow Pear-Shaped Cherry Tomatoes: Yellow Pear
The Yellow Pear is an unpatented, indeterminate heirloom breed that dates back to the beginning of the 19th century (1805). Today, it is grown by independent seed producers who save and then package open-pollinated seeds.
It’s got a lovely shape, fruity-sweet flavor, and it’s a favorite in salads. It’s also regarded as a disease-resistant variety.
Yellow Pear seeds are produced and sold by Rare Seeds, TomatoFest, and Willhite Seed Inc., to name a few.
Best Deep Black Cherry Tomatoes: Black Cherry
Considered the gold standard for sweet, full-bodied cherry tomato flavor, Black Cherry is an open-pollinated, indeterminate variety that is grown by several seed companies and smaller independent operations. Another heirloom cherry tomato, it was bred in Florida and is disease-resistant.
It is a high-yielding variety that produces huge clusters of deep black, delicious fruits. As the fruits ripen, they develop a smoky-sweet flavor that is great for snacking.
You can get your Black Cherry seeds from TomatoFest, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Victory Seed Co., along with other retailers.
Tips for Planting and Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are generally easy to grow, but the right conditions make a substantial difference to fruit quality and harvest size. So, these tips are worth keeping in mind.
- Choose a sunny location. Most cherry tomatoes perform best with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade may help reduce heat stress.
- Give roots enough room. Compact varieties such as Tiny Tim are well suited to containers. Vigorous indeterminate plants need larger pots, sufficient root space, and sturdy supports. Most do best in an open garden bed.
- Water consistently. Keep the soil evenly moist rather than allowing it to dry out completely and then soaking it. Fluctuating moisture levels can contribute to fruit cracking and other problems.
- Support the plants. Cages, stakes, and trellises help keep vines upright, improve airflow, and make harvesting easier. Determinate dwarf varieties generally need less extensive support than indeterminate types.
- Harvest regularly. Pick ripe fruit frequently to enjoy it at its best and prevent overripe tomatoes from remaining on the plant. Check plants every few days during the peak production season.
- Choose varieties suited to your conditions. Consider your local climate, available space, preferred flavor, and how you plan to use the harvest. An early-maturing bush variety may suit a short growing season, while an indeterminate vine can be a better choice if you want fruit over a longer period.
Bottom Line: Which Cherry Tomato Variety Should You Grow?
The best cherry tomato variety depends on your available space, growing conditions, and flavor preferences. If you’re looking for classic red cherry tomatoes, Large Red Cherry Organic tomatoes are an excellent choice for salads, snacks, and everyday cooking. If sweetness is your priority, Sweetie Organic cherry tomatoes are another variety worth considering.
For smaller spaces, Tiny Tim is well suited to container gardening, while Golden Nugget offers an early harvest of yellow fruit. Sungold appeals to gardeners who enjoy intensely sweet, fruity tomatoes, and Fruit Punch is an excellent option if you want to avoid cracking skins.
Consider what matters most to you, whether its flavor, fruit color, an early harvest, or ease of growing. You can also try several varieties to compare their performance in your garden. If you want to start with established options, Ferry-Morse’s Large Red Cherry Organic and Sweetie Organic give you two distinct choices for your next growing season.