How to Grow Sundowner Tomato
Wikimedia Commons
Sundowner Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sundowner'
vegetableSundowner is a determinate cherry tomato variety known for its compact growth habit and prolific production of small, sweet red fruits. It was developed specifically for container growing and small-space gardening, making it ideal for balconies and patios. The plants typically reach 2-3 feet in height and produce clusters of 10-15 cherry-sized tomatoes throughout the season.
When should you plant Sundowner Tomato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Sundowner Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Sundowner Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Sundowner Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sundowner Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 for outdoor growing; grown as annual in zones 3-4
Sign up free to see if Sundowner Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Sundowner Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2 cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are tender and pale green.
Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily; keep soil moist but not waterlogged; maintain 65-70°F. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop multiple true leaves and compact, bushy form. Stems thicken and roots establish. No flowers yet.
Maintain consistent moisture and light. Fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Harden off transplants before planting outdoors.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters. Plants reach mature size (2-3 feet). Foliage is dense and dark green.
Provide full sun and consistent watering. Fertilize with lower-nitrogen blend (higher phosphorus/potassium). No staking required for determinate types, but support may help with container plants.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop from flowers. Fruits gradually enlarge and begin color change from green to red over several weeks.
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Continue fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with lower-nitrogen blend. Remove any diseased leaves.
Harvest
6-8 weeksRipe red cherry tomatoes appear in abundant clusters. Plants continue producing throughout season until frost or plant decline.
Harvest tomatoes at peak color for best flavor. Continue watering and fertilizing for sustained production. Deadhead any spent flowers to encourage new fruit set.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick caterpillars daily; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
-
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; maintain good air circulation
-
Strong water spray to dislodge; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs
-
Increase humidity; spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves
-
Maintain consistent soil moisture; mulch to regulate moisture; amend soil with calcium (gypsum or lime)
Uses
Fresh eating and snacking
CulinarySundowner cherry tomatoes are perfect for eating fresh off the vine due to their sweet flavor and small, convenient size. They're ideal for snacking, salads, and garnishing. [source]
Cooking and sauces
CulinaryTheir concentrated flavor makes them excellent for pasta sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. Multiple fruits per cluster allow for easy harvesting in bunches for recipes. [source]
Canning and preserving
CulinaryHigh sugar content and ideal size make Sundowner tomatoes well-suited for preserving whole in jars, making tomato jam, or sun-drying. [source]
Container and patio gardening
HouseholdSundowner's compact, determinate growth habit and high yield make it perfect for small spaces, balconies, patios, and container gardens. Decorative enough for ornamental use. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting broader garden ecosystem health. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when tomatoes are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Pick fruit in early morning for best flavor. For extended harvest, pick tomatoes at the 'breaker stage' (first color showing) and ripen indoors at room temperature. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. Determinate varieties produce most fruit over 3-4 week period, then decline.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sundowner was specifically bred for container growing and compact spaces, making it one of the best choices for balcony gardeners and small-space enthusiasts.
- 🌱 The name 'Sundowner' reflects the plant's habit of producing fruit well into the late evening hours of the growing season, continuing production longer than many other cherry tomato varieties.
- 🌱 Determinate tomato varieties like Sundowner were developed to allow all fruit to mature at roughly the same time, making them ideal for canning operations and bulk harvesting.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Sundowner Tomato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Sundowner Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Sundowner Tomato timeline →