How to Grow Chico
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Chico
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
vegetableChico is a cherry tomato variety known for its small, sweet fruits and prolific production. These determinate or semi-determinate plants produce abundant clusters of bite-sized tomatoes perfect for snacking, salads, and cooking. Chico tomatoes are heat-tolerant and disease-resistant, making them reliable performers in home gardens.
When should you plant Chico in your zone?
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Example Chico timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Chico
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Chico
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Chico dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as annual in cooler zones 3-4
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 leaves emerging from soil, pale green and tender
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, maintain 65-75°F temperature, thin seedlings to prevent damping-off
Vegetative
3-4 weeks indoors; 1-2 weeks after transplanting outdoorsPlants develop 4-6 true leaves and sturdy stems; active leaf and stem growth with 6-12 inches height
Maintain moist soil, harden off before transplanting, fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks, support with stakes or cages as plants grow
Flowering
2-3 weeksPlants reach 12-24 inches tall and begin producing small yellow flowers in clusters; flower buds appear in leaf axils
Provide consistent water and full sun, apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage blooms, stake/cage plants for support, prune suckers on indeterminate varieties, maintain adequate air circulation
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green marble-sized fruits develop from flowers; clusters of 8-15+ cherry-sized tomatoes per cluster mature to red
Maintain consistent deep watering, mulch around base, apply balanced tomato fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, continue pruning lower leaves for air flow, monitor for pests and diseases
Harvest
6-10 weeks of continuous harvestTomatoes reach full red color, are slightly soft to gentle pressure, and easily separate from vine
Harvest ripe fruits daily to encourage continued production, twist gently or use pruners, continue watering and fertilizing, remove diseased leaves, extend season with frost protection if needed
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage parasitic wasps, inspect undersides of leaves daily
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects, maintain good air circulation
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Spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or miticide, increase humidity, remove heavily infested leaves
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Spray with water, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, introduce ladybugs, reflective mulches can deter
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Remove lower infected leaves, improve air circulation, apply sulfur or copper fungicide, water at soil level only
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Remove infected leaves immediately, apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide, avoid overhead watering, ensure good drainage
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryChico cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking straight from the plant or adding whole to salads due to their sweet flavor and small, convenient size. [source]
Pasta and sauce dishes
CulinaryTheir balanced sugar and acid content makes them ideal for fresh pasta sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes where small, whole tomatoes add visual appeal. [source]
Preserving and canning
CulinaryThe small size of Chico tomatoes makes them excellent candidates for whole fruit canning, pickling, and sun-drying while maintaining their shape. [source]
Heart and antioxidant health
MedicinalRich in lycopene, vitamins C and K, and potassium, cherry tomatoes support cardiovascular health and contain powerful antioxidants. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity and ensuring fruit set on this and nearby plants. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when tomatoes are fully red and slightly soft (70-80 days from transplant). Chico plants produce prolifically; pick ripe fruits daily to encourage more blooms. Tomatoes picked at the breaker stage (showing first blush of color) will ripen off the vine if needed. Harvest until first frost or when production slows in hot weather. For extended season in cool climates, prune off excess foliage in late summer to direct energy to remaining fruit.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chico is a determinate cherry tomato that was developed specifically for regions with short growing seasons, making it popular in northern gardens and containers.
- 🌱 Cherry tomatoes like Chico can produce 200+ fruits per plant over a season under ideal conditions, making them one of the most prolific vegetable plants.
- 🌱 Tomato plants can actually produce better fruit when slightly stressed—moderate water stress (not drought) increases sugar concentration and flavor intensity in cherry varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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