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How to Grow Raisinette Tomato

Raisinette Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Raisinette'

vegetable

Raisinette is a dwarf, indeterminate cherry tomato variety prized for its exceptionally sweet, small fruits that resemble raisins in size and concentrated flavor. The plant produces abundant clusters of tiny, dark red tomatoes throughout the growing season on a compact, bushy plant ideal for containers and small spaces. This heirloom variety is known for its intense sugary taste and prolific production.

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

  1. Plant Raisinette Tomato

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Raisinette Tomato

    Around Jun 21

    ≈ 65 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for best sweetness and production)
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 1-1.5 inches of water weekly through drip irrigation or soaking at the base. Water deeply and regularly, especially during fruiting, to prevent fruit cracking and blossom end rot. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease.
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Spacing: 18-24 inches
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Days to maturity: 65-75 days from transplant to first ripe fruit
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Planting depth: Plant seeds 0.25 inches deep; transplants 2-3 inches deeper (bury lower stem)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (5-5-5 or 10-10-10) Calcium source (lime or gypsum) to prevent blossom end rot Aged manure

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as an annual in zones 3-4 with protection

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves within 7-10 days; plants develop thick, sturdy stems

Maintain soil moisture; provide bright light (14-16 hours); keep temperature 70-75°F; thin seedlings to strongest if direct seeding

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple sets of true leaves and a robust root system; stem thickens and side shoots appear

Begin light fertilizing (diluted to 0.5 strength); maintain consistent moisture; prune lower leaves if starting indoors; harden off gradually before transplanting

3

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant becomes bushier with prolific branching characteristic of this compact variety

Continue regular watering and weekly fertilizing with balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer; support plant with small cages or stakes; maintain consistent nighttime temperatures 60-70°F for fruit set

4

Fruiting

6-8 weeks (continuous in favorable conditions)

Tiny green fruits develop in dense clusters; fruits gradually enlarge and change from green to deep red over 20-30 days per truss

Maintain consistent watering to prevent cracking; reduce nitrogen to encourage ripening; remove diseased leaves; prune excessive foliage only if shading fruit; continue light fertilizing every 10-14 days

5

Harvest & Production

6-12 weeks (until frost)

Plant produces continuous waves of ripe, sweet red fruits; smaller raisin-sized tomatoes mature rapidly once color sets

Pick fruits at full red color for maximum sweetness; harvest frequently to encourage more blooming; remove dead flowers and leaves; provide consistent care through season to extend productivity until frost

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Borage Marigold Parsley Carrot Onion Nasturtium Chive Cilantro

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Potato Walnut Sweetcorn

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps; monitor for droppings on leaves

  • Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; release ladybugs; neem oil spray

  • Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch; introduce parasitic wasps

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; neem oil; sulfur dust; insecticidal soap

  • Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; copper fungicide; resistant varieties

  • Remove infected plants; avoid overhead watering; copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; resistant varieties

  • Remove infected plants; use disease-resistant varieties; crop rotation (3-year minimum); sterilize tools

Uses

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Fresh eating & snacking

Culinary

Raisinette tomatoes are exceptionally sweet with concentrated sugars, making them ideal for eating fresh off the vine or adding to salads. Their small size and intense flavor make them perfect for children's snacking or garnishing dishes. [source]

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Preservation & drying

Culinary

The naturally high sugar content and small size of Raisinette tomatoes make them excellent for sun-drying, oven-drying, or dehydrating to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes or tomato powder. [source]

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Sauce & concentrate

Culinary

The concentrated sugars and intense flavor of Raisinette make them ideal for creating rich tomato sauces, ketchups, concentrates, and pastes with natural sweetness and depth. [source]

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Container & patio gardening

Household

The dwarf, compact growth habit of Raisinette makes it perfect for growing in containers, hanging baskets, small patios, and balconies where space is limited, producing abundant fruit in small footprints. [source]

💊

Lycopene & antioxidants

Medicinal

Raisinette tomatoes are rich in lycopene and polyphenol antioxidants, with concentrated levels due to their small size and intense red color, supporting heart health and cellular protection. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when they reach full deep red color for maximum sweetness and sugar concentration. Raisinette tomatoes are small and delicate; handle gently. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous flowering and fruiting. Fruits typically ripen 20-30 days after flowering. For peak flavor, pick in early morning and use within 1-2 days. Can be harvested slightly green and ripened indoors if necessary. Late-season fruits can be picked green and ripened indoors before frost.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Raisinette is named for its resemblance to raisins in size, and its fruits are among the smallest cultivated tomato varieties, often no larger than a marble.
  • 🌱 The concentrated sweetness of Raisinette tomatoes can reach 8-10+ Brix (sugar content), comparable to some fruits, making them significantly sweeter than standard cherry tomato varieties.
  • 🌱 This heirloom variety originated from European tomato breeding programs and has become popular in modern container gardening and ornamental vegetable cultivation due to its abundant productivity and decorative appearance.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom pH Transplant True Leaves
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