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How to Grow Super Elfin Tomato

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Super Elfin Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Super Elfin'

vegetable

Super Elfin is a dwarf, determinate tomato variety bred specifically for container growing and small spaces. It produces abundant small to medium cherry-sized fruits on compact plants reaching only 12-18 inches tall. The prolific harvest and manageable size make it ideal for patios, balconies, and indoor gardening.

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

  1. Plant Super Elfin 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 Super Elfin Tomato

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for maximum fruit production)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Container plants may need daily watering in hot weather. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent disease.
📏
Spacing: 12-18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-75 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; bury transplant stem up to first true leaves

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting mix or loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite or vermiculite Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or tomato-specific blend)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-11 as annual; grows year-round in zones 10-11

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge from soil

Keep soil moist; provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Maintain 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings.

2

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Compact bushy growth with sturdy stems and increasingly dense foliage; plant reaches 6-12 inches

Transplant into larger containers or garden bed; support with small stakes if needed. Maintain consistent moisture and balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters throughout the plant canopy

Ensure full sun and adequate phosphorus (higher middle NPK number). Maintain steady watering and avoid nitrogen excess which delays flowering. Gently shake plants to aid pollination.

4

Fruiting

4-6 weeks (production continues until frost)

Marble to golf ball-sized tomatoes develop from flowers, initially green then turning red as they ripen

Continue consistent watering and weekly fertilizing with tomato blend. Prune lower leaves if needed for air circulation. Support branches under heavy fruit load.

5

Harvest

8-12 weeks (until frost in cold zones)

Bright red ripe fruits ready for picking; plant continues producing new flowers and fruit

Pick tomatoes when fully red for best flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Remove diseased or damaged fruits immediately.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Borage Marigold Nasturtium Carrot Onion Oregano

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Walnut trees Potato Kohlrabi

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; use reflective mulch.

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; improve air circulation.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; remove infested leaves.

  • Hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray.

  • Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide if needed.

  • Ensure adequate spacing and air flow; spray with sulfur or baking soda solution; avoid overhead watering.

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and snacking

Culinary

The cherry-sized fruits are perfect for eating fresh off the vine, adding to salads, or using as colorful appetizers. Their sweet, juicy flavor makes them ideal for immediate consumption without cooking. [source]

🍳

Preserving and sauces

Culinary

The abundant harvest can be processed into tomato sauce, paste, or preserved through canning or freezing. The concentrated flavor develops well when cooked down for preservation. [source]

🏠

Container and space-efficient gardening

Household

Super Elfin's compact dwarf form is specifically bred for pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, and small urban spaces. It allows apartment and patio gardeners to grow their own tomatoes with minimal space requirements. [source]

💊

Antioxidant-rich nutrition

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with cardiovascular and prostate health benefits. Fresh homegrown tomatoes retain more nutritional value than long-stored commercial varieties. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant small flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden. Growing Super Elfin supports local pollinator populations while ensuring good fruit set. [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 to gentle pressure, typically 70-80 days from planting. Harvest regularly (every 2-3 days during peak season) to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. Tomatoes can be picked slightly underripe and ripened indoors at room temperature. Cut or gently twist fruits from the stem. Super Elfin produces continuously until the first hard frost in most zones.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Super Elfin was specifically bred at the University of New Hampshire for container gardening and has won awards for its prolific fruiting in small spaces, producing over 250 fruits per plant in optimal conditions.
  • 🌱 This variety is determinate (bush-type), meaning it flowers and fruits concentrated over a shorter period rather than spreading production across the entire season, making it excellent for successive plantings.
  • 🌱 Super Elfin can be successfully grown indoors under grow lights or on sunny windowsills, making it one of the few vegetables that works well for year-round indoor gardening in northern climates.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun pH Pollination Transplant True Leaves
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