How to Grow Sweet 100 Tomato
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Sweet 100 Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweet 100'
vegetableSweet 100 is a prolific cherry tomato variety prized for its exceptionally sweet, bite-sized red fruits and vigorous indeterminate growth habit. It produces clusters of small tomatoes throughout the growing season and is a favorite among home gardeners for fresh eating and snacking. The plants grow tall and require support but reward growers with continuous harvests.
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Example Sweet 100 Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet 100 Tomato
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 Sweet 100 Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet 100 Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 5-10; can be grown as annual in cooler zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2 cotyledons and first true leaves emerging; delicate and compact
Keep soil moist but not soggy; provide bright light 14-16 hours daily indoors; maintain 70-75°F; thin seedlings to prevent damping off
Vegetative
3-4 weeksStocky transplants developing multiple true leaves; growing 6-12 inches tall with increasing leaf complexity
Harden off gradually before transplanting; increase light and air circulation; feed with dilute fertilizer weekly; support with cages or stakes as growth continues
Flowering
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters (called trusses) appear; yellow star-shaped flowers open in groups along stems
Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or slightly lower nitrogen blend; remove lower leaves for air circulation; pollinate flowers by hand or gently tapping if indoors
Fruiting
4-6 weeksFruit sets rapidly in small clusters; green marble-sized tomatoes develop on multiple trusses simultaneously
Continue consistent watering; prune suckers to direct energy to main stem and fruit production; fertilize with lower nitrogen (e.g., 5-20-20) to boost fruiting; maintain robust support structure
Harvest
6-10+ weeksSmall red cherry tomatoes ripen in clusters; plant continues producing until frost in fall; mature fruits are sweet and juicy
Harvest when fully red and slightly yielding to pressure; pick regularly to encourage continued production; monitor for late-season disease; continue fertilizing and watering through season
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide or neem oil; introduce predatory mites
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Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; release ladybugs
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Remove infected leaves immediately; ensure good air circulation; water at base only; use copper or sulfur fungicide; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fresh snacking and salads
CulinarySweet 100 tomatoes are ideal for eating fresh off the vine due to their concentrated sweetness and juicy texture. They add vibrant flavor and visual appeal to salads, caprese dishes, and fruit platters. [source]
Roasting and preserving
CulinaryThe small size and natural sweetness make these tomatoes excellent for slow-roasting whole or halving for homemade pasta sauce, tomato jam, and sun-dried tomatoes. [source]
Lycopene and antioxidants
MedicinalSweet 100 tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other carotenoids, antioxidants linked to heart health and cancer prevention. The concentrated sweetness indicates high sugar content and phytonutrient density. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdWhile indeterminate, Sweet 100 can be grown in large containers (5+ gallons) with heavy support, making it ideal for patios, balconies, and small-space gardening. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators throughout the season, supporting garden biodiversity and improving fruit set on 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
Pick tomatoes when fully red and slightly soft; they ripen rapidly in clusters, so harvest every 2-3 days during peak season. For end-of-season ripening, pick mature green tomatoes and ripen indoors at room temperature. Sweet 100 continues producing until frost; in fall, entire branches can be pulled and hung upside down to ripen remaining fruit.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sweet 100 was bred at UC Davis in the 1970s and became one of the most popular home garden tomato varieties worldwide, known for exceptional vigor and productivity—a single plant can produce 300+ fruits in a season.
- 🌱 The tomatoes are sweeter than full-sized slicing tomatoes because the plant concentrates sugars into smaller fruits; the Brix sugar content (6-8%) rivals many commercial sweets.
- 🌱 This indeterminate variety will continue growing and producing until killed by frost, making it a true 'forever plant' in frost-free zones and rewarding gardeners with months of continuous harvest.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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