How to Grow Tiny Treasure
Tiny Treasure
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tiny Treasure'
vegetableTiny Treasure is a dwarf determinate tomato variety bred for container and small-space gardening, producing abundant small cherry-sized fruits. It reaches only 12-18 inches tall and yields clusters of sweet, flavorful tomatoes throughout the season. This cultivar is ideal for patios, balconies, and indoor gardening.
When should you plant Tiny Treasure 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 Tiny Treasure timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tiny Treasure
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 Tiny Treasure
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tiny Treasure dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; grows as annual in cooler zones 3-4
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Get my Tiny Treasure timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
10-14 daysTiny true leaves emerge after cotyledons; plant is fragile and compact
Keep soil moist, maintain 70-75°F, provide bright light 14+ hours daily under grow lights to prevent leggy growth
Vegetative
3-4 weeks indoors; 1-2 weeks after transplanting outdoorsPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves, compact bushy form; no flowers yet
Grow on with consistent light and warmth. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if transplanting. Support with small stakes if needed.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant reaches near-full height of 12-18 inches
Maintain consistent watering and 1-2 inches per week. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced or tomato-specific fertilizer. Ensure full sun exposure.
Fruiting
2-3 weeksFruit sets rapidly, small green tomatoes cluster densely on plant; plant becomes heavy with fruit
Water consistently to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Support plant with cages or stakes due to heavy fruit load. Continue fertilizing with phosphorus-rich formula.
Harvest
4-8 weeks or until frostTomatoes ripen from green to full red color; plant continues producing throughout season
Harvest ripe fruits every 3-4 days to encourage continued production. Pinch off new flower clusters 4-6 weeks before first frost to concentrate energy on ripening existing fruit.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; improve air circulation
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Mist foliage regularly; spray with neem oil or sulfur; maintain 50%+ humidity
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; mulch plants; add crushed eggshells or lime to soil
Uses
Fresh eating and snacking
CulinaryTiny Treasure produces abundantly sweet, bite-sized tomatoes perfect for eating fresh off the plant or adding to salads and platters. The concentrated flavor makes them ideal for snacking. [source]
Sauces and preserves
CulinaryThe small size and high yield make these tomatoes excellent for making concentrated sauces, passata, or preserving whole as pickled tomatoes. The dense flesh provides good flavor concentration. [source]
Container and ornamental gardening
HouseholdThe dwarf determinate habit makes Tiny Treasure perfect for patios, balconies, windowsills, and small spaces where standard tomatoes won't fit. Productive plants are attractive and productive in limited areas. [source]
Lycopene-rich nutrition
MedicinalRipe tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant associated with cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Fresh consumption maximizes bioavailability of this beneficial compound. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. Growing these plants supports pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest tomatoes when fully red and slightly soft to gentle pressure. For container plants, pick frequently to encourage more fruit production. In cool climates, pick mature green tomatoes 1-2 weeks before frost and ripen indoors at 65-70°F in a paper bag.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tiny Treasure was bred specifically for container growing and has been optimized to produce maximum fruit on minimum plant, sometimes yielding over 100 tomatoes per plant in a single season.
- 🌱 Unlike indeterminate varieties that continue growing throughout the season, Tiny Treasure is determinate—it reaches a fixed height and produces most fruit simultaneously, making it excellent for succession planting.
- 🌱 The tiny size of these cherry tomatoes makes them popular for children's gardens and as a gateway into vegetable gardening, as the sweet fruit appeals to young palates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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