Not everyone who wants to grow tomatoes has the space or weather necessary to do it outside. If you are one of these people, then take heart. It is possible to grow tomatoes indoors in a sunny location such as on your kitchen counter near the window. With a few containers and supports, you'll have red, ripe tomatoes hanging from the vine in no time.
Fill 8-inch diameter pots with rich potting soil. Add soil to within 5 inches of the top.
Place two tomato plant seedlings in the pot, spaced 3 inches apart. Break the soil and root balls of the seedlings apart with your fingers before setting them in the pot. Use smaller tomato varieties for indoor growth. Examples include Small Fry, Patio, and Toy Boy.
Add soil around the seedlings to finish filling in the pot.
Water the soil to dampen it. You want the soil to be damp to the touch but not so wet that water pools when you press your finger into it.
Place the pot in front of a window so the plant will get plenty of sun. Rotate the pot each day so that all sides get sun once the seedlings start to put on growth.
Water as needed by testing the soil with your hand and adding water if the top inch of soil is dry.
Add a liquid plant fertilizer to the soil two weeks after planting. Look at the directions on the plant food container to to get the proper dosage for your size pot and plants, and then cut the amount of fertilizer in half. The Colorado State University Extension Service recommends fertilizing lightly.
Add a climbing cage as the tomatoes grow higher.
Pick when they have turned red.
Things You Will Need
- 8-inch pot
- Potting soil
- Seedling tomato plants
- Liquid fertilizer or plant food
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