How Long a Tomato Really Takes to Grow, According to Gardening Experts

Tomatoes are a summertime garden favorite. Even in a small vegetable garden, there's a good chance that you have a bit of room for these plants; if outdoor space is really at a premium, tomatoes can also be grown in containers indoors.

However, no matter where your tomatoes live, it's essential to harvest them at the right time. So, how long does it take for an individual tomato to reach maturity? What are some signs to watch for? We spoke to the experts to find out.

How Long Do Tomatoes Take to Grow?

Tomatoes come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors, and with that comes variance in the time required for them to reach maturity. For example, the smallest cherry tomato cultivars may produce fruit that only weighs half an ounce each, while large beefsteak tomatoes can weigh upwards of 2 pounds. In general, bigger tomatoes will take longer to grow.

"One of the easiest ways to tell if a cherry tomato is ready for harvesting is to keep track of how many days to maturity is on the seed packet or planting label," says gardening coach and author Teri Speight. "Depending on the cultivar, they'll be ready to harvest about 50 to 65 days after you plant them in the ground."

Full-size tomatoes often take about 75 days to reach maturity. 

Indoors vs. Outdoors

Tomatoes grown in indoor containers will take longer to reach maturity. "Controlling the proper environment for indoor tomatoes can be a challenge," says Speight. For example, it can be difficult to mimic the lighting conditions that tomatoes would receive if they were outside.

"Indoor air temperatures can also present an issue, as they don't naturally fluctuate," she adds. "Keeping the air circulating can inhibit their growth—and definitely their maturity."

Indoor tomatoes will also need to be hand-pollinated, and they may not be as tasty as outdoor tomatoes.

Signs They're Ready to Harvest

A ripe red tomato is unmistakable—so when it reaches the appropriate size and has achieved a brilliant, full color, it's time to think about harvesting.

"Generally, cherry tomatoes will easily fall off the vine without any resistance," says Speight. "Their color is deep in tone, and a quick taste will ensure they're picked at the right time. A ripe one leaves a sweet flavor on the tongue."

When it comes to larger tomatoes, watch for similar signs. "[They] generally will have full color" at maturity, says Speight. She suggests testing the fruit with a gentle squeeze to see if there's a bit of give.

You can also watch for the fruits to reach the breaker stage. "This is when each fruit begins to get a bit of color to it. For example, the tomato may have changed from being dark green to a light green or pale yellow," she says. "At that point, you can pick any fruits that have gone through that subtle color change."

After, bring them indoors and place them on your kitchen counter, where they can finish ripening.

Non-Red Tomatoes

There are plenty of interesting tomato varieties (especially heirlooms) that aren't your typical, supermarket red. Gauging the ripeness of these can be more challenging, but the main signs still apply.

"Begin by referring to the seed packet or plant tag for information on what the mature color will be," says Susan Mulvihill, organic gardener and author. "Take a look at the number of days to maturity and compare that with your planting date."

Then, do some firsthand investigating. "Is the fruit hard or does it have a bit of give to it?" she says. "You can also gently lift the tomato while it's still attached to the plant and see if it easily separates from its attachment. That's usually a good sign that the fruit is ripe."

Err on the Early Side

It's ideal to wait and pick your tomatoes when they're absolutely ready, but if anything, it's better to harvest too early than too late.

"There are a few reasons why," says Mulvilhill. "One would be a weather-related issue, such as a big deluge that's been forecasted."

Pest or disease problems may also necessitate an early harvest. "In addition, you'll likely get a larger harvest by picking the tomatoes as soon as they start ripening, which will reduce stresses on the plant and allow it to produce even more fruit," she adds.

Common Mistakes

It's easy to make a mistake when harvesting a tomato or gauging its ripeness. Here are a few common ones that experts say you should try to avoid.

Rough Handling

Your tomato plants will continue to produce over time, putting on more flowers and fruits as the summer progresses. So, try to avoid harming the vines as you pick.

"Be gentle with the plants," says Mulvilhill. "You don't want to roughly pull a tomato off of a branch, only to damage it—especially if the branch contains several more unripe tomatoes."

Leaving Damaged Fruit

While you're out selecting the best fruits for your harvest, be on the lookout for tomatoes that look damaged or diseased. Make sure to come back to them when you're done harvesting the edible ones. Removing and disposing of these cracked or diseased fruits will help prevent any pathogens from spreading.