Top 6 Cherry Tomatoes: Best Varieties to Grow

A Couple of years ago, when I decided to add cherry tomatoes to my garden, I was confused by questions about which varieties would grow in my climate, which tasted the best, and how much care they would require. I was at the same stage as you now, feeling lost in a sea of options and information.

Over the past years, I’ve grown over 30 varieties in my garden. While it wasn’t always easy, I saw many ups and downs, and I learned that beginners often face similar challenges while choosing the right cherry tomato for their garden. This is why a detailed guide is essential.

This guide will help you avoid the mistakes I made in the past, and by avoiding these mistakes, you will become successful in gardening tomatoes. It may take 10 minutes to read this blog post but trust me, it’ll be worth reading! You’ll gain knowledge from my years of experience.

I covered the six best cherry tomato varieties I have experienced, including heirlooms and hybrids. I’ll provide detailed information about each variety and help you choose the perfect ones for your needs.

Why Should You Choose Cherry Tomatoes to Grow?

Here are some reasons why you should start growing cherry tomatoes.

• Space Saver

If you have limited space at home, no problem! One of the best characteristics of cherry tomatoes is their ability to grow in minimal spaces, such as balconies or containers. An example of my balcony is when I lived in a tiny NYC apartment; I transformed my sunny south-facing balcony into a growing garden.

Easy for Newbies: Cherry tomatoes require less attention than other tomato varieties. Due to my busy schedule, I often forget to water my cherry tomatoes for a day or two, but when I give them water, they bounce back quickly.

Even if I accidentally over-water them, the soil dries out quickly, and they continue to grow happily. Another plus point is that they need essential maintenance: basic watering, occasional pruning, and sunlight.

Versatility: Cherry tomatoes can be incorporated into endless dishes, meaning that you can use them in sandwiches and snacks, and their sweet taste adds a great flavor to your dishes. I mostly use them in salads, in which I incorporate olives, cherry tomatoes, corn, capers, tuna, and excellent olive oil. 

Quicker Rewards: Cherry tomatoes are a great motivator for new gardeners because they mature much faster than other tomatoes. This means you will enjoy the fruits quickly, and they can be ready to harvest within 60-70 days.

Nutritional value: It can be good because it is a source of vitamin C and Vitamin A, and it improves blood pressure and the immune system. A central plus point of this is that it has low calories.

Flavor: Cherry tomatoes are primarily famous for their sweet taste; they are lovely compared to large tomatoes. With every bite, you’ll experience a sugary goodness taste in every bite.

What is Brix Rate?

Brix, or degrees Brix, refers to the level of sweetness in foods such as tomatoes.

To be more specific, Brix refers to the degree of the density of sugar solution in a liquid solvent. One degree Brix is equivalent to one gram per one hundred grams of the substance.  

Or if someone says the tomato is 5 degrees Brix, then that is a scientific temperature which means that, of the tomato composition, 5 per cent is sugars. Consequently, the Brix scale ranges to the highest limit of hundred.

As mentioned, most tomatoes are classified within the 5-12 range. For instance, pure maple syrup has a sugar content of approximately 68 degrees Brix.  

I will also make sure that I give the Brix rating together with each tomato. Keep in mind that Brix values may be different in real life depending on growing conditions but it is quite helpful to get a general idea of how sweet a tomato is.

Here are the best 6 shortlisted Cherry Tomatoes

1. Sweet One Million

I will start by discussing Sweet One Million cherry tomatoes in my list. I will share the challenges I faced and the rewards I received from growing this variety.

The Sweet One Million tomatoes are indeterminate, bright red, and have unique growth habits. They have regular leaves and stand out from other cherry tomato varieties with their rounded edges.

It stays small, reaching 6 feet (1.8 meters), and is about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size.

This type of cherry grows fast and is usually ready to pick 60- 65 days after planting. Then, you can use it for endless dishes. You can use it for salads, create tangy sauces and salsas, or enjoy it as a sweet and healthy snack.

The best benefit is that it is a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which helps to maintain a healthy immune system.

Their tomato plants have long trusses that hang down to the ground, looking like strings of firecrackers when full of tomatoes. This makes the garden look more attractive.

The plant keeps making tomatoes on the same branch, with new flowers and fruits growing. This constant production means there will always be tomatoes available during the season.

The Sweet One Million tomatoes tasted great and were high quality. The Sweet One Million tomatoes were delicious and of high quality.

We used the Brix scale to measure their sweetness and tanginess. They scored a 9, indicating they were exceedingly sweet. This was likely because they could absorb nutrients effectively from the soil.

These tomatoes are lovely with a bit of tanginess , giving them a sweet and slightly tangy taste. Larger tomatoes are sweeter and tastier than smaller, tangier ones, which is unique.

The skins of these tomatoes are rigid and may stick to your mouth if chewed for too long. However, this is separate from the overall enjoyment of eating them.

Growing Conditions and Observations

This journey takes work. I faced problems like late blight, chipmunks, mold, and insect damage (possibly squash bugs).

Plant Damage: My cherry plants were hurt by late blight, which affected the plant and the fruit. I had to remove ripe tomatoes early to help the other fruits ripen faster. If I waited too long to harvest, the tomatoes could get sick and be damaged by insects.

Pests: For the first time this year, squash bugs damaged my tomato plants, making it harder for me to keep them healthy.

Harvesting ripe tomatoes regularly is essential to growing healthy and productive Sweet One Million tomatoes. This will help prevent disease and pest problems and maintain the health of the plants. By doing so, you can ensure a successful and bountiful tomato harvest.

Details:

Brix: 8.0 – 10.0

Type: Hybrid

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

Recommendation:

I highly recommend Sweet One Million tomatoes for their flavor and productivity. Proper blight and pest management strategies make these tomatoes a delightful addition to your garden.

2. Super Sweet 100

Last year, I grew Super Sweet 100 tomatoes and became very happy! They produced lots of juicy red tomatoes. If there’s one cherry tomato variety that every garden needs, it’s the Super Sweet 100.

Planting and Growing: These beauties can be grown from March to June; the harvest begins in the last week of May and continues until September. According to my findings, seed germination inside the house is very helpful since March provides warmth, safety, and a good start.

Like Sweet Million tomatoes, Super Sweet 100 tomatoes are excellent for the small garden because they are easy to grow and maintain. These fruits are very colorful, and when RIPE, they are red in color. These fruits measure approximately one inch in diameter and are well-suited for gardening.

Growth and Yield: These plants are referred to as determinate because they continuously grow and produce throughout the season, reaching between 3 and 10 feet in height. In my experience, I suggest the new growers stake the plants early enough since the plants grow fast, and the staking will help them support themselves during the heavy fruiting process.

The remarkable quality I like about Super Sweet 100 is that one plant yields more than a hundred tomatoes in a single season, sometimes even a pound!

A report from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources described indeterminate tomatoes as growing and bearing fruits all season.

Care Tips: These tomatoes require light from the sun for 6- 8 hours and a regular water supply. Water the plants moderately during warm days and ensure the soil is damp in the evenings and at night. I suggest that you use mulch to enable the soil to remain moist and prevent weed growth.

The members of the American Horticultural Society suggest staking or caging for tomatoes to provide a structure for the vine as it grows taller and starts producing fruit.

Usage and Benefits: These tomatoes mature nearly to the picking stage after 65 days from the date of transplanting. Because of their flexibility, you can add them to salads, use them as ingredients in sauces, salsas, and baked products, or even eat them as a bar snack.

 According to my story, these tomatoes are perfect for adding to fresh summer salads. They are particularly rich in two vital vitamins, A and C, contributing to eye and skin health and a robust immune system.

Details:

Brix: 9.5 – 12.0

Type: Hybrid

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

My Thoughts: You should grow 100 super sweet tomatoes, and I say this because they are the best tomatoes on the market. They have a long period of ripening, starting in summer and up to frosts, and diseases do not harm them, so they can effectively be considered a stable crop. You can harvest flavorsome cherry tomatoes often during the season with little work.

3. Sun Sugar

In my garden, Sun Sugar tomatoes brought joy into my life due to the wonderful taste of the tomatoes and also their bright red coloration. These fruits make me happy and they taste like sweets. This is due to the fact that they differ from normal cherry tomatoes because of their fruity and citrusy taste.

 Planting and Growing:

Sun Sugar tomatoes are small-sized and juicy tomatoes with a round shape and bright orange color that ranges between 1 to 1 ½ inch in diameter. They are indeterminate vines, so continue to grow throughout the season; they need some form of support as they grow, to about 3 to 4 feet tall. But in some cases even I feel 6 feet tall as evident in the picture below:

 Growth and Yield:

The plants of this variety require 6-8 hours of sun or dappled sunlight and moderate irrigation, especially in hot weather. As I have learned in my years of gardening, they should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil to help them grow.

They need enough space from one another to avoid diseases and other complications, and when planted, they should be placed at least 2-3 feet apart. Sun Sugar is a type of sugarcane that matures relatively early and takes between 65 and 80 days from the time it is transplanted to be ready for harvesting.

 Care Tips:

 Watering is crucial with every plant needing to be watered on a regular basis, even more so during the summer, but the soil should not be watered when it is too wet. In particular, I advise against tilling the soil and instead use mulch to help in keeping soil moist and free from weeds. Similarly, the staking or caging of the plant at an early stage aids the plant in growing big and bearing a large yield.

 Usage and Benefits:

 When ripe, Sun Sugar tomatoes can be eaten in salads, snacks or even as toppings for pizza. They also have vitamin A and C, both of which are crucial in enhancing the ability to see, gain healthy skin, and boost immunity. Personally, I use these, and these tomatoes are really great for fresh summer salads.

Details:

Brix: 9.3 – 10.0

Type: Hybrid

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

My Thoughts:

I highly recommend Sun Sugar tomatoes because they taste good and look attractive in the garden. They are easy to care for and grow, making them an excellent choice for beginners. You can grow them in small spaces, so try them.

4. Black Cherry Tomatoes

I have grown many types; however, the Black Cherry type always stands out. Black Cherry tomatoes are among my favorites. They are usually round in shape and vary in size, but they are mostly about 1-1. 5 inches in diameter. I appreciate having fast-growing, indeterminate plants in my garden.

 The general taste is sweet and tangy, and the nuts give a slightly nutty hint with every bite. Black Cherry tomatoes are tasty and eye-popping, and their dark color gives them a dramatic look to any meal.
 
 Planting and Growing:
 
 Black cherry tomato plants require sunlight and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to grow correctly. This variety requires regular watering, especially in warm and arid climates.
 
 These rather semi-woody plants also need a supportive stake or cage framework to bear the weight of their prolific fruiting as they grow. Regarding seeds, I have discovered that it is wise to start seeds inside in early spring to ensure that they germinate well. There is nothing like that. By the time they have developed to a stage that allows transplanting outside, they are solid and fit to endure.
 
 Growth and Yield:
 
 These tomatoes take about 65-75 days from transplanting, and you can harvest them multiple times through the summer and early autumn. Since the plants have an indeterminate growth habit, they will continue producing fruit based on the current growing conditions.
  
 Care Tips:
 I almost mentioned all the tips discussed in the section, touching on regular watering and staking. Now, another care tip is that plants need regular pruning since this process can help control the plant’s growth and enhance the circulation of air, which is a vital factor in minimizing the chances of diseases afflicting the plants. I suggest the use of mulch in nearly all the varieties of cherry tomatoes because of its efficiency in maintaining soil moisture and controlling weeds.

Usage and Benefits:
Black Cherry tomatoes are ideal for salad, especially for those who like the dark shade’s color contrast. They contain vitamins C and A, which are essential in maintaining the body’s immune system, among other roles. Besides, they are low in calories, which also makes them fat-free and very healthy for one to take as a snack.

Details:

Brix: 8.0 – 8.5

Type: Heirloom

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

 My Thoughts:
 I grew it last summer, and the Black Cherry tomato is a really good variation, but you may have problems.
 Firstly, due to their unlimited growth, support by staking or caging is inevitable, which consumes more space and needs constant maintenance. Secondly, Black Cherry tomatoes may take slightly longer to be ready to harvest than other types of tomatoes.

 In conclusion, I would like to say that Black Cherry tomatoes are good for you in general. If they are given good support and protected against disease, these ‘gems’ will yield exceptionally well.

5. Sun Gold Tomatoes

Sun Gold tomatoes are a favorite of any gardener due to their sweet and juicy bright orange color and hints of passionfruit taste. Since they require no encouragement to grow and are actually very popular, any tomato lover should consider growing them.

These plants are small and do not require a lengthy preparation period, so they can be quickly grown in pots, which is another advantage. Because of their superb taste, they can be considered perfect plants for those aiming for a rewarding and tasty crop.
 
 Planting and Growing:

Ideally, Sun Gold tomatoes must be sown in pots using grow bags in the last week of April under the protected structure and directly in the field from the end of May. It can also be grown in a 5-gallon container, making it suitable for any garden size.
 
Compost in 50% or equal proportions with peat and perlite makes appropriate soil for the plant. Using the right quality of potting soil will also help complete the process faster and enhance the plants’ growth.
 
 Growth and Yield:
Sun Gold tomatoes grow to a height of about 200 cm and a spread of about 50 cm. They take about 65 days to mature and give a rich yield of juicy and tasty melons. They are determinate types, which means they grow and produce at a fixed point, making them ideal for gardeners who would like to have their tomatoes all at once.
 
 Care Tips:
 The common tips of Care is Guide are as follows: Guide is General, and there are other realities. They will do best in a location receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and should be watered once per week, with at least one inch (2. This is because moisture variation has to be kept at a standard in order not to cause problems such as splitting. Also, using stakes or cages will enable the control of the plant’s growth and facilitate the bearing of the fruit’s weight.
 
 Usage and Benefits:
 Cherry tomatoes are versatile. They are well suited to eating raw in fresh salads and snacks or used as a garnish on pizzas and pasta dishes. One thing is very special about this variety: because of their small size and rich taste, they can be used in the preparation of various foods and dishes. They also contain essential vitamins A and C that play important roles in specific body functions, such as the immune system and overall health.

Details:

Brix: 9.0 – 10.0

Type: Hybrid

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

My Thoughts:
 Sun Gold tomatoes are perfect for growing in your garden because of their delicious taste, bright color, and moderate size. These plants do well even in small gardens and can be grown in large gardens and small containers.

However, the moisture level needs to be consistent to avoid splitting. Since there is a rush of harvest within a short time, planning is necessary to ensure a constant supply of the produced grain.

In many aspects, I can vouch for the Sun Gold tomatoes for any average home gardening enthusiast. Their sweetness, shine, and small size make cultivating and picking them enjoyable. With the right measures and ideal sunny weather, they can bring in a bountiful harvest of these delightful berries.

Regarding variety and production, there is no doubt that Sun Gold tomatoes have never left a bitter taste in my mouth all the season I’ve been growing them.

6. Sun Peach Tomatoes

The variety I became interested in this year is the Sun Peach tomatoes, which I had a positive experience within 2023. The plants have attractive reddish-pink, shiny foliage and stems, adding to any garden and beings. They also havered fruit well-balanced-flavoring:

Organically grown Sun Peach tomatoes are propagated from February to April, and crop production is from July to October. They grow in loamy, medium-rich soil with a pH balance of 6.0 –6.8.
These plants are determinate, which means that once they have grown to a certain size, they stop growing upwards and start setting fruits. Thus, they are best planted by gardeners who want a limited height of the plant. The plants grow up to 18-36 inches tall, and they mature in a 58- 65-day cycle.

 Growth and Yield:
 Sun Peach tomatoes are small and slightly oval in shape, growing up to 1¼ inches in diameter. Their growth system is determinate, and fruits mature all at once; harvesting is done within a limited time.

 This leads to a massive reward, making it ideal for those who cherish having a large number of products at once. This is especially appropriate in small gardens or in landscape designing that suits container gardening.

 Care Tips:
 Watering is essential in the regular management of a Sun Peach tomato plant to achieve maximum yield. These tomatoes, however, should be watered regularly but uniformly to avoid chances of their skins cracking.

Also, they may be afflicted by fungal diseases, and therefore, it is reasonable to maintain good plant spacing and air exchange. Simple things such as checking on the plants often and helping to give them the support they need in the form of stakes or cages will go a long way toward managing their growth and supporting the plants and fruits.

Usage and Benefits:
 While Sun Peach tomatoes can be eaten fresh, they work well in cooking as well. It has a sweet and mild taste that is rich in less bitter components; therefore, it is suitable for salads, fruit snacks, and a garnish for meals.

Among the vitamins, they contain A and C, which are very useful not only for the body but also help the immune system. This is also good for health since it is low on calories and perfect for snacking.

Details:

Brix: 9.0 – 10.0

Type: Hybrid

Growth Habit: Indeterminate

My Thoughts:
 My favorite tomato, which I strongly encourage, is Sun Peach tomatoes because of their natural sweetness, bright color, and not being too large. They need frequent watering and are prone to some fungus problems, but overall, they compensate for these drawbacks in full.

That is why, with the help of correct care and preparation, every gardener can have a rich harvest of tasty “peachy” cherry tomatoes.

In my first-hand experience with this particular breed of tomatoes, Sun Peach tomatoes have been easy to cultivate and pick. They have a slightly sweet, well-balanced taste that perfectly complements any food. However, the effort required to grow them is worth the sweet and tasty fruits they produce.

I hope that you enjoyed this blog. Please remember to check back soon for more posts from me! You can freely comment here if you have any further questions about cherry tomatoes. I will reply to you, and you should let me know which of the cherry tomatoes you selected in the comment section.

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