How Long Does It Take to Grow Tomatoes From Seed?
Updated April 5, 2025
Growing your own tomatoes from seed is one of the most satisfying gardening journeys you can embark on. But “how long does it take to grow tomatoes from seed?” This is a super common question. Growing food definitely takes time and patience. It’s not an instant gratification activity at all and can seem like it’s taking forever. I’ve found that growing food has taught me to have more patience, and the reward during the harvest is just so satisfying. For first-time growers and even seasoned gardeners, understanding the full life cycle of tomato plants is the foundation to a productive harvest and thriving home garden.
This post breaks down the process from seed to ripe fruit, offering empowering step-by-step instructions and top tips to help you grow your own tomatoes with confidence.
This post is all about how long does it take to grow tomatoes from seed.
Table of Contents
From Seed to Harvest: A Timeline
So, how long does it take to grow tomatoes from seed?
The full timeline ranges from 100 to 167 days, depending on the tomato variety and growing conditions. While seed packets often list the number of days to harvest, that number starts at transplanting time, not the day you sow the seeds.
Let’s break it down:
- Germination: 5 to 10 days
- Indoor seedling growth: 4 to 8 weeks (28-56 days)
- Hardening off: 7 to 12 days
- Days to harvest after transplanting: 60 to 100+ days
Depending on the type of tomato, your growing season, and how early you start, it could be anywhere from three to five and a half months from seed to slicing into your first homegrown tomato.
Choosing the Right Tomato Variety
Tomato varieties matter! The time it takes to grow tomatoes varies based on the type of tomato you choose. Determinate varieties, like Roma tomatoes, grow to a compact height and set fruit all at once. So you’ll have a lot of fruit to pick all at once! Indeterminate tomatoes, like most heirloom varieties and cherry tomatoes, keep growing and producing throughout the season. It’s great to have both types of tomatoes to have a continuous flow throughout the season, if you have the space all those tomatoes. If not, opt for compact, bush varieties.
Here are some types of tomatoes you might explore through seed catalogs or garden centers:
- Cherry tomatoes: Fast-growing and perfect for small spaces, although most are indeterminates
- Heirloom varieties: Rich in flavor and history – there are so many different types of tomatoes that you may not have realized existed. They come in lots of different colors than just the traditionally known red tomato.
- Compact plants: Ideal for container gardening – these won’t need a support system.
- Heat-loving plants: Suited for warm climates and long growing seasons.
It’s a good idea to consider your space, climate, and taste preferences before selecting a tomato variety.
How to Know How Long It Takes
On every packet of seed, it should tell you how exactly to sow your seeds. The packet includes the following information on it:
- Where to sow the seeds – indoor versus outdoors. Unless you live in a mild climate, seed packets will recommend starting your seeds indoors and how many weeks to sow the seeds before transplanting them outside. For mild climates, you’ll be able to direct sow them outside.
- Next, it specifies the days to emerge, meaning how many days it’ll take for the seed to sprout and come up from underneath the soil
- Seed depth – the packet indicates how deep to sow the seed. Each type of seed is different. In general, larger seeds may be sowed deeper, while smaller seeds may be only pressed into the surface of the soil. For tomato seeds, they’re usually sowed about ¼ inch below the surface. Sowing the seeds at the correct depth is important. If they are sowed too deep, they may not have the energy to emerge out of the soil and hence no seedling.
- Seed spacing – it tells you how far apart seeds need to be spaced when they are being sown.
- Row spacing – how much space to have in between each row of plants. Seedlings grow into bigger plants and you’ll need the right amount of space to avoid overplanting.
- Thinning – it will tell you whether or not to thin out the seedlings once they’ve emerged. Thinning out the seedlings helps to reduce overcrowding/overplanting of plants as well.
Starting Tomato Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start on the growing season. It also gives you more control over your environment and helps avoid early exposure to cooler temperatures. Tomatoes don’t do well in temperatures that are 60 degrees Fahrenheit and below. They’re also frost tender – they can’t tolerate frost at all.
The best time to start tomato seeds is 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Check your zone’s frost calendar to pinpoint your ideal planting time.
What you’ll need:
- Seedling trays or peat pots
- Good seeds from a reliable source
- Seed starting mix (not garden soil)
- Grow lights or a sunny window
- Heat mat (optional, but great for improving germination rate)
- Something to cover your plants for germination to create a mini greenhouse (ie plastic cover that may come with the seedling tray
Steps to start tomato seeds:
- Moisten your soil mix and fill your small pots or trays.
- Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep in the soil surface.
- Cover with a humidity dome to hold in moisture.
- Place in a warm location (ideally 70°F to 80°F).
- Once you see the first leaves (called seed leaves), remove the cover and move the trays under bright light or grow lights.
Soon, the first set of true leaves will appear, and your young plants will start to take shape!
Transplanting Tomato Seedlings
Your tomato seedlings will be ready for transplanting into a larger container or outdoors when they have at least two sets of true leaves and a strong main stem.
Use this checklist before transplanting:
- The danger of frost has passed (check your last frost date)
- The seedlings have a good size and a strong root ball
- You’ve gradually hardened off the plants by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days
Transplanting tips:
- Dig a deep hole so you can bury the base of the plant up to the first set of leaves.
- Use a nutrient-rich garden soil or mix in compost for fruit production.
- Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal disease.
- Water gently and support with stakes or cages as needed.
Growing Tomatoes Outdoors
Tomatoes love full sun and thrive in warm-season crops conditions. For best results, choose a sunny window or smart garden spot with 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Make sure your soil is:
- Well-draining and rich in nutrients
- Slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.8)
- Enhanced with compost or home improvement store fertilizers
Water deeply at the base of the plant and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to issues like late blight or fungal disease.
Ongoing Tomato Plant Care
Once your plants are in the ground, consistent care is the key to healthy, productive plants.
Key care tasks:
- Prune any unnecessary side shoots on indeterminate tomatoes
- Use row covers or cold frames in cooler temperatures
- Monitor for pests like aphids or soapy water to deter them naturally
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks to support fruit production
Common problems include leggy seedlings, poor germination rate, and late blight. Avoid these by using good seeds, proper lighting, and maintaining airflow.
When Will You See Tomatoes?
Once you’ve transplanted your strong starter plants into the garden, the real countdown to ripe fruit begins. As mentioned earlier, this can take 60 to 100 days depending on the tomato variety.
Some early varieties may give you first fruits by early summer, while others, like larger beefsteaks, may take until late summer.
Signs that your tomato is ready to pick:
- Small yellow flowers have developed into fruit
- The fruit is fully colored (depending on the variety)
- It slightly softens to the touch
Saving Tomato Seeds for Next Year
Growing from seed also allows you to collect your own tomato seeds for the following year. Choose your best, healthiest parent plant, scoop out the seeds, dry them, and store in a cool, dry place.
Final Thoughts
Growing tomatoes from seed might feel like a long journey, but it’s absolutely worth it. From the first signs of life in your seedling trays to slicing your own tomatoes fresh from the vine, every step is a victory.
You’ll learn what works best in your own garden, discover different varieties you love, and experience the full joy of growing one of the most iconic warm-season crops.
With enough light, the right soil mix, a little hard work, and good seeds, you can grow flavorful, vibrant tomatoes that beat anything at the store.
This post was all about how long does it take to grow tomatoes from seed. Happy planting!
