What Are Determinate Tomatoes & List of 120+ Varieties

chenell
By: Chenell - Lead Writer and Gardening Advocate
Published:

Tomatoes are one of the most exciting things to grow in a garden.

Of course, using the right soil, knowing how much sun they need and how often to water tomatoes is important. But knowing whether your plants are determinate or indeterminate tomatoes can help you when planning your garden and when and how to prune your tomato plants.

So what kinds of tomatoes are determinate? Many varieties of Roma tomatoes are determinate, including San Marzano and Amish Paste tomatoes. Celebrity, Rutgers or Jersey tomatoes, and some grape varieties of tomatoes are also determinate.

I created a full list of tomato varieties and cultivars that are determinate, and where you can get them. You can find the full list of over 120 determinate varieties at the bottom of the post, or by clicking here.

Seeing a list of varieties is helpful, but it’s hard to get any generalizations out of that. I’m going to break down specific categories of tomatoes and help you understand which ones are more likely to be indeterminate.

indeterminate tomato varieties

What Are Determinate Tomatoes?

A determinate tomato plant will produce one larger harvest as opposed to continuing to grow throughout the season. They have a “determined” harvest and set time frame in which they generally produce fruit.

Determinate tomatoes are often called “bush” tomatoes as they tend to stay smaller and more compact instead of growing very tall as indeterminate plants do.

Many indeterminate plants can reach 9 or even 10 feet tall while determinates tend to stay around 4-5 feet. Since they only produce one main harvest, determinate tomato plants don’t need to be pruned as often.

Of course, there are also semi-determinate tomatoes which just adds to the complication 🙂

Are Beefsteak Tomatoes Determinate?

beefsteak indeterminate tomatoes

Beefsteak tomatoes are usually indeterminate plants. However, there are some beefsteak varieties that are determinate, including:

  • Atlas tomato – This determinate beefsteak is great for container gardening or growing in the ground. With just 65 days until the harvest, it won’t be long until you have these delicious, 12 oz fruits in your kitchen ready to be eaten!
  • Cal Ace – This mid-season heirloom beauty produces meaty fruits around 7-9 oz. It’s also resistant to fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt, making it great for beginner gardeners.
  • Bush Beefsteak – This determinate beefsteak variety will produce a harvest in around 62 days, with 8-10 oz fruits. The shorter harvest is great for regions with a shorter season.
CultivarGrowth HabitDays to MaturityWhere to Buy
Abe LincolnIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AbigailIndeterminate75
Ace 55 Determinate75Get Seeds
Amelia Determinate75
Amish PasteIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Anna RussianIndeterminate65
Arkansas TravelerIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Atlas Determinate65
Aunt Gertie's GoldIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AzoychkaIndeterminate70Get Seeds
Banana Legs Determinate72Get Seeds
BasingaIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Better BoyIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Better Bush Determinate68
Big BeefIndeterminate73Get Seeds
Big BoyIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Big League Determinate47
Big Rainbow Indeterminate85Get Seeds
Big YellowIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Biltmore Determinate80
Black BeautyIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Black CherryIndeterminate68Get Seeds
Black from TulaIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Black KrimIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Black Sea ManDeterminate75Get Seeds
Blondkopfchen75
Blue Berries Indeterminate74Get Seeds
Bonny BestIndeterminate80Get Seeds
BrandywineIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Bush Beefsteak Determinate62
Cal Ace Determinate75Get Seeds
Candy's YellowIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Caro Rich Determinate80Get Seeds
Celebrity Determinate70Get Seeds
Chef's Choice OrangeIndeterminate75
Cherokee PurpleIndeterminate75-80Get Seeds
Cherry BombIndeterminate64
Cherry Gold45
Chuck's YellowIndeterminate77Get Seeds
Cream Sausage Determinate73Get Seeds
DamselIndeterminate73
Dark GalaxyIndeterminate75
Defiant PhR Determinate65
Dr. Wyche's YellowIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple HeartDeterminate70
Early GirlIndeterminate51
Egg YolkIndeterminate70Get Seeds
Evan’s Purple PearIndeterminate75
Five Star GrapeIndeterminate62
Galahad Determinate69
German JohnsonIndeterminate76
Giant OxheartIndeterminate90
GlacierIndeterminate55
Gold Nugget Determinate54Get Seeds
Golden Roma75
Golden SweetIndeterminate60
Grandaddy Determinate72
Grandma Oliver's GreenIndeterminate80
Grape TomatoIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Green ZebraIndeterminate78
Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry
Helsing Junction BluesIndeterminate60-65Get Seeds
HillbillyIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Homestead 24 Determinate75
Independence Day (Fourth of July)Indeterminate49
Indigo AppleIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Indigo RoseIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Isis CandyIndeterminate65Get Seeds
Japanense Black TrifeleIndeterminate80
JasperIndeterminate60
JetstarIndeterminate72
JulietIndeterminate60
Kellogg's BreakfastIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Large Barred Boar Determinate65
Legend Determinate68
Lemon BoyIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Little Blonde Girl75
Marglobe Determinate75
Marizol PurpleIndeterminate80
Midnight RomaSemi-Determinate80
Midnight SelectIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Mortgage LifterIndeterminate85
MoskvichIndeterminate60
Mr. StripeyIndeterminate80Get Seeds
New Big Dwarf Determinate60
New Yorker Determinate63
Oregon Spring Determinate65
Owen’s PurpleIndeterminate75
Paul RobesonIndeterminate78Get Seeds
PineappleIndeterminate90Get Seeds
Pink OxheartIndeterminate85
Pink San MarzanoIndeterminate85
Powers HeirloomIndeterminate79Get Seeds
Pride of FlandersDeterminate70Get Seeds
Principe Borghese Determinate75
Purple Bumble BeeIndeterminate68Get Seeds
Purple CalabashIndeterminate83Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple ReignIndeterminate75
Purple RussianIndeterminate76Get Seeds
RapunzelIndeterminate70
Rio Grande Determinate80
Roma Determinate75
RoseIndeterminate78
Rosella PurpleIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Rugged Boy Determinate75
Rutgers (Jersey Tomato) Determinate75
San MarzanoIndeterminate85
San Marzano GiganteIndeterminate90
San Marzano LampadinaIndeterminate78
San Marzano Nano Determinate75
San Marzano ScataloneIndeterminate75
SantorangeIndeterminate60
Schwarze SarahIndeterminate79Get Seeds
Southern NightIndeterminate85Get Seeds
StupiceIndeterminate52
Sugar BombsIndeterminate
Summer Pick Determinate75
Sun GoldIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Sunshine BlueIndeterminate72
Super FantasticIndeterminate70
Super Sweet 100Indeterminate65
SupersonicIndeterminate75
Sweet 100Indeterminate70
Talladega Determinate67
Tangerine
Taxi Determinate68
Tims Black RufflesIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Tumbling Tom Red Determinate60
Tycoon Determinate80
Valleycat Determinate70
Washington Cherry Determinate60
White CherryIndeterminate75
Wine JugIndeterminate78
Yellow BellIndeterminate60
Yellow BrandywineIndeterminate90Get Seeds
Yellow PearIndeterminate71Get Seeds
Aunt SophiesIndeterminate90
Aladdin's LampIndeterminate80
Amana OrangeIndeterminate
Barnes MountainIndeterminate
Burning SpearIndeterminate
Dad's SunsetIndeterminate
Woodle Orange
Yellow Teardrop
Big Girl
orange jubilee tomato
Yellow JubileeIndeterminate65-80Get Seeds
Golden Sweet Cherry Tomato
Golden SunrayIndeterminate75Get Seeds
jaune flamme tomato
persimmon tomato plants
valencia heirloom tomato
carolina gold tomatoes
breakfast sweet

Are Roma Tomatoes Determinate?

indeterminate roma tomatoes

Roma tomatoes, also called plum or paste tomatoes, are often times determinate plants. These make great tomatoes for sauces and canning to preserve your harvest for a later date.

  • Plum Regal – Deep red variety with a perfect flavor for tomato sauce and pastes. This disease-resistant variety is great for home gardens.
  • Ten Fingers of Naples – This open-pollinated cultivar is a heavy producer of tomatoes that are often times 5-6 inches long. These 3 oz fruits grow in clusters (thus the name 10 fingers).

Are Cherry Tomatoes Determinate?

cherry tomatoes on the vine

Most cherry tomatoes are actually indeterminate, but not all of them are.

Here are some great cherry tomatoes that are determinate:

  • Gold Nugget – Gold nugget tomatoes are an incredible yellow tomato variety. A full harvest takes only 56 days, so this plant is usually the first of the season to bear fruit.
  • Pink Cherry – Yes, they are actually pink and they are delicious! This open-pollinated variety is quite sweet and great for snacking.
CultivarShapeGrowth HabitSeasonDays to MaturityWhere to Buy
Abe LincolnGlobeIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AbigailBeefsteakIndeterminate75
Ace 55 Determinate75Get Seeds
Amelia Determinate75
Amish PastePasteIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Anna RussianOxheartIndeterminateEarly-Season65
Arkansas TravelerIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AtlasBeefsteak Determinate65
Aunt Gertie's GoldBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season75Get Seeds
AzoychkaBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season70Get Seeds
Banana LegsPlum DeterminateMid-Season72Get Seeds
BasingaGlobeIndeterminateMid-Season80Get Seeds
Better BoyIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Better Bush Determinate68
Big BeefBeefsteakIndeterminate73Get Seeds
Big BoyBeefsteakIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Big LeagueBeefsteak DeterminateEarly Season47
Big Rainbow BeefsteakIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Big YellowGlobeIndeterminateLate-Season80Get Seeds
BiltmoreGlobe Determinate80
Black BeautyBeefsteakIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Black CherryCherryIndeterminate68Get Seeds
Black from TulaHeirloomIndeterminateMid-Season75Get Seeds
Black KrimBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season72Get Seeds
Black Sea ManDeterminateMid-Season75Get Seeds
Blondkopfchen75
Blue Berries CherryIndeterminateMid-Season74Get Seeds
Bonny BestGlobeIndeterminate80Get Seeds
BrandywineBeefsteakIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Bush BeefsteakBeefsteak DeterminateEarly Season62
Cal AceBeefsteak Determinate75Get Seeds
Candy's YellowBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season75Get Seeds
Caro RichBeefsteak Determinate80Get Seeds
CelebrityGlobe Determinate70Get Seeds
Chef's Choice OrangeIndeterminate75
Cherokee PurpleBeefsteakIndeterminateLate-Season75-80Get Seeds
Cherry BombCherryIndeterminate64
Cherry GoldCherry45
Chuck's YellowBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season77Get Seeds
Cream SausagePlum DeterminateMid-Season73Get Seeds
DamselGlobeIndeterminate73
Dark GalaxyIndeterminate75
Defiant PhRGlobe Determinate65
Dr. Wyche's YellowBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season78Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple HeartDwarfDeterminateMid-Season70
Early GirlGlobeIndeterminate51
Egg YolkCherryIndeterminate70Get Seeds
Evan’s Purple PearPearIndeterminateMid-Season75
Five Star GrapeGrapeIndeterminate62
GalahadBeefsteak Determinate69
German JohnsonBeefsteakIndeterminate76
Giant OxheartOxheartIndeterminateLate-Season90
GlacierIndeterminate55
Gold NuggetCherry DeterminateEarly54Get Seeds
Golden RomaRoma75
Golden SweetGrapeIndeterminate60
GrandaddyBeefsteak DeterminateEarly72
Grandma Oliver's GreenHeirloomIndeterminate80
Grape TomatoCherryIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Green ZebraSmallIndeterminate78
Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry
Helsing Junction BluesCherryIndeterminateMid-Season60-65Get Seeds
HillbillyBeefsteakIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Homestead 24 Determinate75
Independence Day (Fourth of July)SmallIndeterminate49
Indigo AppleIndeterminateMid-Season75Get Seeds
Indigo RoseCocktailIndeterminateLate Season75Get Seeds
Isis CandyCherryIndeterminateEarly-Season65Get Seeds
Japanense Black TrifeleIndeterminate80
JasperIndeterminateCherry60
JetstarIndeterminate72
JulietCherryIndeterminate60
Kellogg's BreakfastBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season80Get Seeds
Large Barred BoarBeefsteak DeterminateEarly-Season65
Legend Determinate68
Lemon BoyGlobeIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Little Blonde Girl75
Marglobe Determinate75
Marizol PurpleIndeterminate80
Midnight RomaRomaSemi-Determinate80
Midnight SelectIndeterminateMid-Season72Get Seeds
Mortgage LifterBeefsteakIndeterminate85
MoskvichIndeterminate60
Mr. StripeyBeefsteakIndeterminate80Get Seeds
New Big DwarfBeefsteak Determinate60
New YorkerBeefsteak DeterminateEarly-Season63
Oregon Spring Determinate65
Owen’s PurpleIndeterminateMid-Season75
Paul RobesonIndeterminateMid-Season78Get Seeds
PineappleIndeterminate90Get Seeds
Pink OxheartOxheartIndeterminate85
Pink San MarzanoIndeterminate85
Powers HeirloomPlumIndeterminateMid-Season79Get Seeds
Pride of FlandersCherryDeterminateMid-Season70Get Seeds
Principe BorgheseGrape Determinate75
Purple Bumble BeeCherryIndeterminateMid-Season68Get Seeds
Purple CalabashBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season83Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple ReignBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season75
Purple RussianPlumIndeterminateMid-Season76Get Seeds
RapunzelCherryIndeterminate70
Rio Grande Determinate80
Roma Determinate75
RoseIndeterminate78
Rosella PurpleIndeterminateMid-Season78Get Seeds
Rugged Boy Determinate75
Rutgers (Jersey Tomato)Globe Determinate75
San MarzanoPlumIndeterminate85
San Marzano GigantePlumIndeterminate90
San Marzano LampadinaIndeterminateLate Season78
San Marzano Nano Determinate75
San Marzano ScataloneIndeterminate75
SantorangeGrapeIndeterminate60
Schwarze SarahIndeterminateMid-Season79Get Seeds
Southern NightBeefsteakIndeterminateMid-Season85Get Seeds
StupiceIndeterminate52
Sugar BombsIndeterminate
Summer PickBeefsteak Determinate75
Sun GoldCherryIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Sunshine BlueCherryIndeterminateMid-Season72
Super FantasticIndeterminate70
Super Sweet 100Indeterminate65
SupersonicIndeterminate75
Sweet 100CherryIndeterminate70
TalladegaBeefsteak Determinate67
Tangerine
TaxiGlobe DeterminateEarly68
Tims Black RufflesIndeterminateMid-Season78Get Seeds
Tumbling Tom Red Determinate60
TycoonBeefsteak Determinate80
ValleycatBeefsteak Determinate70
Washington CherryCherry DeterminateEarly60
White CherryCherryIndeterminate75
Wine JugPlumIndeterminateMid-Season78
Yellow BellPlumIndeterminateEarly60
Yellow BrandywineBeefsteakIndeterminateLate-Season90Get Seeds
Yellow PearPlum, PearIndeterminate71Get Seeds
Aunt SophiesOxheartIndeterminateLate Season90
Aladdin's LampPearIndeterminateMid-Season80
Amana OrangeBeefsteak, Flattened GlobeIndeterminateMid-Season
Barnes MountainBeefsteakIndeterminateLate Season
Burning SpearElongated, Plum, PointedIndeterminateMid-Season
Dad's SunsetRoundIndeterminateLate Season
Woodle Orange
Yellow Teardrop
Big Girl
orange jubilee tomato
Yellow JubileeRoundIndeterminate65-80Get Seeds
Golden Sweet Cherry Tomato
Golden SunrayRoundIndeterminate75Get Seeds
jaune flamme tomato
persimmon tomato plants
valencia heirloom tomato
carolina gold tomatoes
breakfast sweet

Are San Marzano Tomatoes Determinate?

There are quite a few varieties of San Marzano tomatoes. While many have an indeterminate growth habit, there are a few varieties of San Marzano tomatoes that are determinate, so you’ll still want to check to see.

  • San Marzano Nano – This determinate San Marzano variety is meaty and has thick walls, perfect for sauces, tomato puree, and pastes.
  • Incas – The Incas tomato ripens as early as late June (after just 70 days) and their size and shape make it an excellent variety for container gardening.

What is an Indeterminate Tomato Plant?

Indeterminate tomatoes get much taller and continue producing fruit throughout the growing season. While they bear more fruit, you will need to stay on top of pruning them as they get suckers that will cause smaller size tomatoes if you aren’t taking care of them regularly.

Common Indeterminate Tomato Varieties

Indeterminate tomatoes aren’t better, they’re just different. Here are a few popular indeterminate tomato varieties:

CultivarGrowth HabitDays to MaturityWhere to Buy
Abe LincolnIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
AbigailIndeterminate75
Ace 55 Determinate75Buy Seeds
Amelia Determinate75
Amish PasteIndeterminate85Buy Seeds
Anna RussianIndeterminate65
Arkansas TravelerIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Atlas Determinate65
Aunt Gertie's GoldIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
AzoychkaIndeterminate70Buy Seeds
Banana Legs Determinate72Buy Seeds
BasingaIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
Better BoyIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Better Bush Determinate68
Big BeefIndeterminate73Buy Seeds
Big BoyIndeterminate78Buy Seeds
Big League Determinate47
Big Rainbow Indeterminate85Buy Seeds
Big YellowIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
Biltmore Determinate80
Black BeautyIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
Black CherryIndeterminate68Buy Seeds
Black from TulaIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Black KrimIndeterminate72Buy Seeds
Black Sea ManDeterminate75Buy Seeds
Blondkopfchen75
Blue Berries Indeterminate74Buy Seeds
Bonny BestIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
BrandywineIndeterminate72Buy Seeds
Bush Beefsteak Determinate62
Cal Ace Determinate75Buy Seeds
Candy's YellowIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Caro Rich Determinate80Buy Seeds
Celebrity Determinate70Buy Seeds
Chef's Choice OrangeIndeterminate75
Cherokee PurpleIndeterminate75-80Buy Seeds
Cherry BombIndeterminate64
Cherry Gold45
Chuck's YellowIndeterminate77Buy Seeds
Cream Sausage Determinate73Buy Seeds
DamselIndeterminate73
Dark GalaxyIndeterminate75
Defiant PhR Determinate65
Dr. Wyche's YellowIndeterminate78Buy Seeds
Dwarf Purple HeartDeterminate70
Early GirlIndeterminate51
Egg YolkIndeterminate70Buy Seeds
Evan’s Purple PearIndeterminate75
Five Star GrapeIndeterminate62
Galahad Determinate69
German JohnsonIndeterminate76
Giant OxheartIndeterminate90
GlacierIndeterminate55
Gold Nugget Determinate54Buy Seeds
Golden Roma75
Golden SweetIndeterminate60
Grandaddy Determinate72
Grandma Oliver's GreenIndeterminate80
Grape TomatoIndeterminate60Buy Seeds
Green ZebraIndeterminate78
Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry
Helsing Junction BluesIndeterminate60-65Buy Seeds
HillbillyIndeterminate85Buy Seeds
Homestead 24 Determinate75
Independence Day (Fourth of July)Indeterminate49
Indigo AppleIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Indigo RoseIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Isis CandyIndeterminate65Buy Seeds
Japanense Black TrifeleIndeterminate80
JasperIndeterminate60
JetstarIndeterminate72
JulietIndeterminate60
Kellogg's BreakfastIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
Large Barred Boar Determinate65
Legend Determinate68
Lemon BoyIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
Little Blonde Girl75
Marglobe Determinate75
Marizol PurpleIndeterminate80
Midnight RomaSemi-Determinate80
Midnight SelectIndeterminate72Buy Seeds
Mortgage LifterIndeterminate85
MoskvichIndeterminate60
Mr. StripeyIndeterminate80Buy Seeds
New Big Dwarf Determinate60
New Yorker Determinate63
Oregon Spring Determinate65
Owen’s PurpleIndeterminate75
Paul RobesonIndeterminate78Buy Seeds
PineappleIndeterminate90Buy Seeds
Pink OxheartIndeterminate85
Pink San MarzanoIndeterminate85
Powers HeirloomIndeterminate79Buy Seeds
Pride of FlandersDeterminate70Buy Seeds
Principe Borghese Determinate75
Purple Bumble BeeIndeterminate68Buy Seeds
Purple CalabashIndeterminate83Buy Seeds
Dwarf Purple ReignIndeterminate75
Purple RussianIndeterminate76Buy Seeds
RapunzelIndeterminate70
Rio Grande Determinate80
Roma Determinate75
RoseIndeterminate78
Rosella PurpleIndeterminate78Buy Seeds
Rugged Boy Determinate75
Rutgers (Jersey Tomato) Determinate75
San MarzanoIndeterminate85
San Marzano GiganteIndeterminate90
San Marzano LampadinaIndeterminate78
San Marzano Nano Determinate75
San Marzano ScataloneIndeterminate75
SantorangeIndeterminate60
Schwarze SarahIndeterminate79Buy Seeds
Southern NightIndeterminate85Buy Seeds
StupiceIndeterminate52
Sugar BombsIndeterminate
Summer Pick Determinate75
Sun GoldIndeterminate60Buy Seeds
Sunshine BlueIndeterminate72
Super FantasticIndeterminate70
Super Sweet 100Indeterminate65
SupersonicIndeterminate75
Sweet 100Indeterminate70
Talladega Determinate67
Tangerine
Taxi Determinate68
Tims Black RufflesIndeterminate78Buy Seeds
Tumbling Tom Red Determinate60
Tycoon Determinate80
Valleycat Determinate70
Washington Cherry Determinate60
White CherryIndeterminate75
Wine JugIndeterminate78
Yellow BellIndeterminate60
Yellow BrandywineIndeterminate90Buy Seeds
Yellow PearIndeterminate71Buy Seeds
Aunt SophiesIndeterminate90
Aladdin's LampIndeterminate80
Amana OrangeIndeterminate
Barnes MountainIndeterminate
Burning SpearIndeterminate
Dad's SunsetIndeterminate
Woodle Orange
Yellow Teardrop
Big Girl
orange jubilee tomato
Yellow JubileeIndeterminate65-80Buy Seeds
Golden Sweet Cherry Tomato
Golden SunrayIndeterminate75Buy Seeds
jaune flamme tomato
persimmon tomato plants
valencia heirloom tomato
carolina gold tomatoes
breakfast sweet

Tomato Suckers – Leave Them or Remove?

When trying to get the largest harvest out of your indeterminate tomatoes, it all comes down to the suckers. No seriously, a tomato sucker is essentially a new branch forming on your plant that will “suck” energy away from others and lead to smaller tomatoes.

Tomato suckers are small leaves and branches that grow where the main branch and side stem of a tomato plant come together.

Make sure you’re not confusing the growth stem for a sucker – you do not want to remove that or your plant will have very little growth from there on out.

Do You Need to Prune Determinate Tomato Plants?

With indeterminate varieties, you want to prune off the suckers to get the biggest harvest. With determinate tomatoes, you don’t have to prune them as much.

tomato sucker location and arrows of where to remove them

In the picture above, you can see two tomato suckers – one that just started growing in, and one that has been on the plant for about 5-7 days.

If you’re growing determinate tomatoes, you can prune off the first few suckers until the main stem is around 6-12 inches tall. While some people don’t prune determinates at all, doing this helps avoid fungal diseases from having leaves sitting so close to the ground.

How to Determine if Tomatoes are Determinate or Indeterminate?

It is important to know whether your plant is a determinate or indeterminate tomato variety and when it will stop producing tomatoes if you’re looking for the biggest harvest.

When you are purchasing plants at the garden store check if they are determinate (bush) varieties or indeterminate (vine) varieties.

It can be hard to look at a tomato plant and determine if it’s determinate or indeterminate – so how can you find this out?

Seed Packets and Online Information

When you buy tomato seeds, you should get some information about the variety fo seeds you’re buying. If you’ve already purchased seeds, the tomato packet should tell you whether the

You can usually check the seed packet, or look at the seed manufacturer’s website.

You can also check the list above that has many varieties of tomatoes and whether they are indeterminate or determinate plants.

Determining the Variety Once a Plant is in the Ground

If you have a plant that is already growing and mature, you can tell if it’s a determinate or indeterminate variety by looking at how tall the plant is. Determinate tomato plants will be shorter with more leaves on the bottom of the tomato branches, whereas indeterminates are taller with fewer leaves near the bottom.

Determinates are bushy, and indeterminates are more vine-like, growing tall and less leafy on each branch.

Tall vs Bushy

If a plant is already growing and maturing, you can usually tell whether they are determinate or indeterminate tomatoes by seeing if the plant gets bushier, or is growing tall. While both types of tomatoes will grow upward and get taller, indeterminates end up getting really tall, some being 9-10 feet tall! While determinate tomatoes will be around 4-5 feet tall max.

Determinate tomato plants tend to have leaves that are closer together on the stems, making them appear bushier and more full. Indeterminate tomato plants look more like vines and end up growing taller much faster than their counterparts.

Fruit Production

Determinate tomatoes produce fruit earlier than indeterminates. They will also produce more fruit at once as they only provide one harvest.

Indeterminate tomato plants tend to take longer to produce fruit, and might only produce a few tomatoes at a time.

A-Z List of Determinate Tomatoes

This list gets updated regularly as new cultivars are grown and created. You can search this list in the box on the upper right if you’re looking for a specific variety.

CultivarGrowth HabitDays to MaturityWhere to Buy
Abe LincolnIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AbigailIndeterminate75
Ace 55 Determinate75Get Seeds
Amelia Determinate75
Amish PasteIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Anna RussianIndeterminate65
Arkansas TravelerIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Atlas Determinate65
Aunt Gertie's GoldIndeterminate75Get Seeds
AzoychkaIndeterminate70Get Seeds
Banana Legs Determinate72Get Seeds
BasingaIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Better BoyIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Better Bush Determinate68
Big BeefIndeterminate73Get Seeds
Big BoyIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Big League Determinate47
Big Rainbow Indeterminate85Get Seeds
Big YellowIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Biltmore Determinate80
Black BeautyIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Black CherryIndeterminate68Get Seeds
Black from TulaIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Black KrimIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Black Sea ManDeterminate75Get Seeds
Blondkopfchen75
Blue Berries Indeterminate74Get Seeds
Bonny BestIndeterminate80Get Seeds
BrandywineIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Bush Beefsteak Determinate62
Cal Ace Determinate75Get Seeds
Candy's YellowIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Caro Rich Determinate80Get Seeds
Celebrity Determinate70Get Seeds
Chef's Choice OrangeIndeterminate75
Cherokee PurpleIndeterminate75-80Get Seeds
Cherry BombIndeterminate64
Cherry Gold45
Chuck's YellowIndeterminate77Get Seeds
Cream Sausage Determinate73Get Seeds
DamselIndeterminate73
Dark GalaxyIndeterminate75
Defiant PhR Determinate65
Dr. Wyche's YellowIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple HeartDeterminate70
Early GirlIndeterminate51
Egg YolkIndeterminate70Get Seeds
Evan’s Purple PearIndeterminate75
Five Star GrapeIndeterminate62
Galahad Determinate69
German JohnsonIndeterminate76
Giant OxheartIndeterminate90
GlacierIndeterminate55
Gold Nugget Determinate54Get Seeds
Golden Roma75
Golden SweetIndeterminate60
Grandaddy Determinate72
Grandma Oliver's GreenIndeterminate80
Grape TomatoIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Green ZebraIndeterminate78
Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry
Helsing Junction BluesIndeterminate60-65Get Seeds
HillbillyIndeterminate85Get Seeds
Homestead 24 Determinate75
Independence Day (Fourth of July)Indeterminate49
Indigo AppleIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Indigo RoseIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Isis CandyIndeterminate65Get Seeds
Japanense Black TrifeleIndeterminate80
JasperIndeterminate60
JetstarIndeterminate72
JulietIndeterminate60
Kellogg's BreakfastIndeterminate80Get Seeds
Large Barred Boar Determinate65
Legend Determinate68
Lemon BoyIndeterminate75Get Seeds
Little Blonde Girl75
Marglobe Determinate75
Marizol PurpleIndeterminate80
Midnight RomaSemi-Determinate80
Midnight SelectIndeterminate72Get Seeds
Mortgage LifterIndeterminate85
MoskvichIndeterminate60
Mr. StripeyIndeterminate80Get Seeds
New Big Dwarf Determinate60
New Yorker Determinate63
Oregon Spring Determinate65
Owen’s PurpleIndeterminate75
Paul RobesonIndeterminate78Get Seeds
PineappleIndeterminate90Get Seeds
Pink OxheartIndeterminate85
Pink San MarzanoIndeterminate85
Powers HeirloomIndeterminate79Get Seeds
Pride of FlandersDeterminate70Get Seeds
Principe Borghese Determinate75
Purple Bumble BeeIndeterminate68Get Seeds
Purple CalabashIndeterminate83Get Seeds
Dwarf Purple ReignIndeterminate75
Purple RussianIndeterminate76Get Seeds
RapunzelIndeterminate70
Rio Grande Determinate80
Roma Determinate75
RoseIndeterminate78
Rosella PurpleIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Rugged Boy Determinate75
Rutgers (Jersey Tomato) Determinate75
San MarzanoIndeterminate85
San Marzano GiganteIndeterminate90
San Marzano LampadinaIndeterminate78
San Marzano Nano Determinate75
San Marzano ScataloneIndeterminate75
SantorangeIndeterminate60
Schwarze SarahIndeterminate79Get Seeds
Southern NightIndeterminate85Get Seeds
StupiceIndeterminate52
Sugar BombsIndeterminate
Summer Pick Determinate75
Sun GoldIndeterminate60Get Seeds
Sunshine BlueIndeterminate72
Super FantasticIndeterminate70
Super Sweet 100Indeterminate65
SupersonicIndeterminate75
Sweet 100Indeterminate70
Talladega Determinate67
Tangerine
Taxi Determinate68
Tims Black RufflesIndeterminate78Get Seeds
Tumbling Tom Red Determinate60
Tycoon Determinate80
Valleycat Determinate70
Washington Cherry Determinate60
White CherryIndeterminate75
Wine JugIndeterminate78
Yellow BellIndeterminate60
Yellow BrandywineIndeterminate90Get Seeds
Yellow PearIndeterminate71Get Seeds
Aunt SophiesIndeterminate90
Aladdin's LampIndeterminate80
Amana OrangeIndeterminate
Barnes MountainIndeterminate
Burning SpearIndeterminate
Dad's SunsetIndeterminate
Woodle Orange
Yellow Teardrop
Big Girl
orange jubilee tomato
Yellow JubileeIndeterminate65-80Get Seeds
Golden Sweet Cherry Tomato
Golden SunrayIndeterminate75Get Seeds
jaune flamme tomato
persimmon tomato plants
valencia heirloom tomato
carolina gold tomatoes
breakfast sweet

Do Determinate Tomatoes Need a Tomato Cage or Trellis?

Both types of tomatoes do great when staked or trellised in some way as they can get heavy, especially with larger fruits. Tomatoes will grow along the ground if they aren’t held up well, but this can subject them to diseases and tomato pests that make gardening much less fun.

Using some sort of trellis or tomato cage will help your tomatoes stay off the ground and avoid common fungal diseases.

My personal rule of thumb is to use tomato cages for determinate varieties, and a taller trellis for indeterminates.

Can You Grow Determinate Tomatoes in Containers?

Determinate tomatoes plants don’t need as much support as their indeterminate counterparts since they don’t grow as tall and are smaller in size. This makes them perfect tomatoes for growing in containers.

They also produce all their fruit at once, so you can reuse the space once the plant has finished producing tomatoes.

Tips for Growing Determinate Tomatoes in Containers

1. Choosing a container

You’ll want to grow your tomatoes in a pot or container with proper drainage holes. Determinate tomato plants don’t need to be in the ground, so when choosing a container, just make sure you’re choosing something that is around 1-2 feet in diameter to give your plant enough space to bush out a bit.

2. Choosing a location

Determinate varieties will only get to be about 4-5 feet tall, so you don’t need a ton of space. But make sure you have enough space for the larger pot size and a little extra room for them to get bushy with it 🙂

Choose a location that gets a least 6-8 hours of full, direct sun each day.

3. Good potting mix and mulch, mulch, mulch

Once you have your plant started and ready to transplant into your container, make sure you’re choosing a good quality potting mix. Here is my favorite one.

Once you’ve planted your tomato, add a layer of 1 inch of cedar mulch or similar to the top. This helps prevent water from splashing back up onto the plant and causing fungal diseases.

4. Watch for tomato pests and tomato hornworms.

Tomatoes growing in containers can still get hit with fungal diseases and common pests that tomatoes deal with. Tomato hornworms can be a nightmare if you don’t catch them early. Keep an eye out for little green worms, or lots of moths flying around your garden and landing on the leaves.

Common issues for tomatoes are verticillium wilt, leaf spot disease, blight, spotted wilt virus, and more.

Choosing to Plant Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

Determinate and indeterminate tomatoes both have their advantages and disadvantages, neither one is necessarily “better”. If you’re looking to get all of your tomatoes at once so you can do some canning or make a lot of sauce, then go with determinates. If you’re looking for a plant that produces tomato fruits all season long, then go with an indeterminate plant.

You can also plant both types if you want the best of both worlds! 🙂

chenell

AUTHOR, CHIEF GUACAMOLE CONNOISSEUR

Hi - I'm Chenell! I lived in the city for almost a decade, but after moving to the suburbs in 2020, I decided the logical millennial thing to do was to learn how to grow my own avocado toast. That's what this site is all about. 🥑

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2 thoughts on “What Are Determinate Tomatoes & List of 120+ Varieties”

  1. I wish I read this article years ago. I’ve grown tomatoes for decades with varying degrees of success and didn’t really know why.

    Reply

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