How to Grow Goblin Tomato

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Goblin Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Goblin'

vegetable

Goblin is a compact, determinate cherry tomato variety known for its deep red, round fruits and ornamental appeal. This dwarf plant grows only 12-18 inches tall, making it ideal for containers, small spaces, and hanging baskets. The plant produces abundant sweet, bite-sized tomatoes with excellent flavor despite its small stature.

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Example Goblin Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Goblin Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Goblin Tomato
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Goblin Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for best fruit production)

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses work best to prevent fungal diseases. Water at soil level, avoiding foliage.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-75 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Plant seed ¼ inch deep indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant with bottom 2-3 inches of stem buried when moving to garden

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (5-10-10 or similar)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; warm-season annual grown throughout most of North America

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves) appear within 5-10 days. First true leaves develop shortly after.

Keep soil warm (70-75°F), moist but not soggy. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Begin thinning or transplanting to individual containers when first true leaves appear.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Compact plant develops sturdy stem and multiple branches. Leaves are dark green, pinnately compound. Plant remains bushy and low-growing.

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Space 12 inches apart. Ensure full sun exposure. Water consistently but allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. No major pruning needed for determinate type.

Flowering

2-3 weeks, overlapping with fruiting

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters (called racemes) along branches. Flowers are self-fertile and typically pollinated by wind or insects.

Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot. Provide balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer weekly (5-10-10 or 5-20-20). Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage over fruit. Light tapping of flowers aids pollination.

Fruiting

4-6 weeks from fruit set to harvest

Small round green fruits develop behind flower clusters. Fruits gradually enlarge to about ¾-1 inch diameter and ripen to deep red over 20-30 days per batch.

Continue consistent watering and weekly feeding. Mulch around base to regulate soil moisture. Remove any lower damaged leaves to improve air circulation. Support branches heavy with fruit using stakes or cages if needed.

Harvest

6-8 weeks, continuous until frost

Ripe fruits are glossy deep red and slightly soft when gently squeezed. Plant continues producing multiple flushes of fruit throughout the season.

Pick fruits when fully red for best flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Continue fertilizing and watering until first frost or end of season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Marigold Borage Carrot Onion Garlic Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage Broccoli Fennel Dill Brassicas Potato

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for smaller infestations; encourage parasitic wasps
Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; use yellow sticky traps; improve air circulation
Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity; spray neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch soil; spray copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; avoid overhead watering
Plant resistant varieties; remove infected foliage; spray mancozeb or copper fungicide; ensure good drainage

Uses

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Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

Goblin tomatoes are sweet, flavorful cherry tomatoes perfect for eating fresh off the vine, adding to salads, or snacking. Their small size and tender skin make them ideal for whole in caprese salads or on charcuterie boards. [source]

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Pasta and sauce

Culinary

The concentrated sweetness of Goblin tomatoes makes them excellent for making fresh tomato sauce, pasta toppings, or slow-roasted tomato preparations. Their small size means less prep time and even cooking. [source]

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Container gardening and ornamental display

Household

Goblin's compact 12-18 inch height and abundant red fruits make it a highly ornamental container plant suitable for patios, balconies, and windowsills. The plant is as attractive as it is productive. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant small yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while providing abundant nectar and pollen resources. [source]

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Preserving and canning

Culinary

The abundance of small tomatoes makes Goblin ideal for making fresh tomato jam, small-batch canning projects, or freezing for later use. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when completely red and slightly soft to the touch. Twist gently or use pruning shears to avoid damaging stems. Harvest regularly (every 2-3 days during peak season) to encourage continuous production. For longer storage, pick fruits slightly before full ripeness and allow to ripen indoors at room temperature. Plant produces prolifically until first frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 Goblin tomatoes are highly ornamental enough to grow in flower beds or decorative containers alongside ornamental plants, blurring the line between vegetable gardening and landscape design.
🌱 The name 'Goblin' reflects the playful, miniature nature of these cherry tomatoes—they're often called 'the goblins of the tomato world' for their small, impish appearance.
🌱 Determinate varieties like Goblin produce their entire crop within a concentrated 4-6 week window, making them ideal for succession planting if you want continuous harvests throughout the season.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch pH Pollination Thinning Transplant True Leaves

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