QUESTION: Should you cut the bottom leaves off tomato plants?
As a new tomato grower, you might be wondering whether it’s a good idea to trim the lower leaves on your tomato plants. Maybe you’ve noticed that some of the leaves near the base of the plant are yellowing or looking unhealthy, and you’re concerned about whether they might affect the rest of the plant’s growth. You might also be curious about how pruning impacts fruit production or whether removing these leaves is necessary at all. With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s natural to want some clarity before reaching for the pruning shears.
ANSWER: Yes, you can and should cut the bottom leaves off tomato plants, but it’s important to do so thoughtfully and at the right time. Once your tomato plants have grown to about 12 to 18 inches tall, you may notice that some of the older leaves near the base start to yellow or die back. This is perfectly normal because these lower leaves are no longer as essential for photosynthesis. Removing them can actually benefit your plant by improving air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases, and redirecting the plant’s energy toward producing healthy fruit.
When pruning, start by focusing on the leaves below the first flower cluster. These are the flowers that will eventually develop into the first fruits, and clearing away the lower leaves helps the plant concentrate its energy on fruit production rather than maintaining foliage it no longer needs. Removing these leaves also helps keep the base of the plant free from excess moisture, which can reduce the risk of diseases like blight.
In addition to pruning lower leaves, you may encounter “suckers,” which are the small shoots that grow at the junction where a branch meets the main stem. For determinate tomato varieties, which grow to a set size and produce fruit all at once, pruning should be minimal. It’s best to remove only discolored or dead leaves and suckers below the first flower cluster. However, for indeterminate tomato varieties, which continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season, more extensive pruning can be beneficial. Removing suckers higher up the plant can help keep the plant manageable and promote better air circulation and sunlight exposure for the fruit.
As you prune, make sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to avoid spreading diseases between plants. Cleaning the blades with rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant between cuts is particularly important if you suspect any of your plants may be unhealthy. While pruning has many benefits, it’s also essential not to overdo it. Removing too many leaves can expose the fruit to sunscald, so be sure to leave enough foliage to provide shade for the fruit and allow the plant to continue photosynthesis.
Pruning your tomato plants with care can lead to healthier growth, reduced risk of disease, and a more productive harvest. If you’re new to pruning, start conservatively and watch how your plants respond. With time and practice, you’ll gain confidence in tailoring your pruning approach to each variety, ensuring your tomato plants thrive throughout the growing season.
What causes leaves to yellow?
Could be several things causing leaves to yellow. Early or late blight. Over or under watering. Too little nitrogen. Too much manure. Not enough fertilizer or the wrong kind.
Bugs. Worms. A tomato variety that’s susceptible to yellowing. Aren’t tomatoes fun?!
I trim off the yellow leaves and bury them so whatever is causing the yellowing won’t affect my tomatoes. I spray my plants with a mix of copper sulfate and fish emulsion the day after a rain or a heavy watering. This gives them a foliar feeding plus helps prevent the blights.
What is causing my tomato leaves to go black
I was just wondering if I should do that. Thanks
Question…
What makes the tomato turn red?
My tomatoes are getting a round black spot on the bottom of some of the tomatoes…almost like a black mold. I have already pulled about 5 off and thrown them away. I have 4 plants…two early girls and two beef masters. What can I do????
Try this article: https://www.gardeningchannel.com/tomato-diseases-fight-blossom-end-rot/
Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate. Egg shells are calcium.
Needs calcium , egg shells that are crushed works well when buried next to the plants .
End rot is from a lack of calcium in soil
Might try calcium there is a calcium for tomato and squash/ zucchini rot. Also Edson salt
I was told to add lime to the soil.
It’s epson salt works great.
What you have is blossom end rot. You need calcium, either as a liquid sprayed on the plants or mixed into the soil. If you use the liquid, make sure you spray early enough so they dry before being hit by the sun.
Adding garden lime to your soil before planting helps nip this in the bud as well 🙂
Happy Gardening!
Called Blossom Rot. To late Now. Put Bone Mill or Calcium under Plant When you Plant It. Also A Tablespoon Of Epson Salt Helps.
Lack of calcium. Grind up egg shells and add to soil. I dig in a teaspoon of powdered skimmed milk around the plant then water in.
This condition is known as blossom end rot. Usually this condition is the result of irregular watering habits. Tomatoes require about one inch of water per week. Slightly more during extended heat waves.
Consistent watering is the key to maintaining healthy plants.
Another cause of blossom end rot is a lack of calcium. A soil analysis is necessary to know your soil condition
For blossom and rot I put a half a teaspoon of Epson salts in to 2 quarts of water and water my plant it’s from growing too fast and the calcium doesn’t have time to reach the tomato and turns it black
You should also strip the leaves back by cutting maybe the last third of each leaf stem off. This allows the plant to put more goodness into the fruits, allows better air circulation stopping mildew and allows more light to get in aiding ripening. This is a little used technique that I was taught by my grandfather, who was a commercial grower, many many many years ago.
Your plant need calcium
My tomato plants were looking very healthy and then all of a sudden one after the other they started to wilt. They have good sized green tomatoes on them why are they wilting. I know it’s not from under or over watering. I put eggshells when I planted them and fertilize every other week
My tomatoe plants were 6 ft tall in 2020. Once the fruit set my plants started wilting. One day one was wilted and continued to wilt, a couple of days later another, a couple days later another. It was like a domino’ effect. My local Ag couldn’t understand why either. It’s like the root wasnt carry water up to the plant. They were beautiful and then after a few weeks I had none. Wasn’t over or under watered. I sure hope we don’t have that problem this year!
HOW U TELL IF U GOT DIFFERENT MATOR PLANTS?? INDERMINATE? OR THA OTHER 1.
CELEBRITY IS WHAT I GOT
THANKS
My plants grow tall but not bushy and full. I have some flowers at the top third. What is the problem? I did pull the bottom suckers fandom added Epsom salts to each plant
Determinate varieties are those which grow into a specific or “determinate” shape, such as bush or trailing varieties. Celebrity are determinate. Indeterminate varieties will just keep growing in a straggly manner unless carefully managed. (I only leaned this the other week from Gardners’ Question Time on UK BBC Radio 4, and I’ve been growing toms for years!)
My leaves have started to curl up all over my plant. What do I do??
So here it is October 31 and I still have tomatoes. I’m still continuing to grow and change colors even though we’ve had frost many nights here in Pennsylvania. I’ve clipped back all the dead leaves is there anyway that I can save the little green ones and bring them in the house to continue to grow.