ROMA TOMATOES

Pretty Chill

Black sun icon with rays on a white background

Full Sunlight

Keep Soil Moist

Annual

Not Pet Safe

USDA Hardiness Zone
Roma tomatoes grow as an annual in zones 2 to 11. This is a warm season crop. Plant in early spring. If you live in zones 9 or above, start seeds indoors late winter and move outside in early spring before peak summer heat.

A USDA hardiness zone map shows you the average annual extreme minimum temperature in your area. This helps you know which plants can survive there.

View Zone Map

FULL SUNLIGHT

More sun = more tomatoes

Place a Roma tomato plant in the brightest spot possible and you'll find it reaching for the sun in no time. This plant is a total sun-lover.

6 to 8+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

Too little sun will result in a weak plant and a smaller tomato harvest.

Watch out for leggy growth and a leafy plant with very few yellow blossoms. These are indications that your Roma tomato plant needs more sunlight!

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

KEEP SOIL MOIST

Keep this plant consistently watered, making sure it has good drainage to prevent soggy soil.

Tomato plants can be a little dramatic after a long day in the sun. If you notice your Roma tomato plant drooping midday, then it is telling you it's thirsty! Give it a thorough pour of water and it should slowly perk back up.

A consistent watering cycle for a tomato plant is key in preventing blossom end rot (read more about this in the Common Issues section below).

MODERATE HUMIDITY

Indoor humidity or normal outdoor air is typically fine for tomato plants. As long as the humidity levels are not too extreme in either direction, a Roma tomato plant will be happy.

Avoid misting or using a humidifier since it is prone to fungal issues if its leaves stay wet.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

SOIL

Roma tomatoes need rich, nutrient dense soil that retains some moisture.

The best store bough option is a vegetable or garden potting mix since it’s already formulated for edible plants like tomatoes.

If you’d like to boost nutrients, mix in a bit of worm castings or compost.

Looks like fine, dark brown granules like moist coffee grounds. This is a natural fertilizer produced by worms that provides nutrients to the soil.

Looks like rich, dark brown crumbly soil with an earthy smell. This is a natural fertilizer made from decomposed organic matter that provides nutrients to the soil.

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can start harvesting your Roma tomatoes once the fruits have turned bright red and feel slightly firm. Tomatoes transitioning from green to red can take up to 30 days in bright, direct light.

Once you notice the tomatoes changing colors, try to check on them every few days so you can pick them at peak ripeness! Most tomatoes will ripen all at once since they are determinate plants.

IDENTIFY THE PICKING SPOT

Typically, you can use your hands to gently twist the tomatoes off the stem. If they are not snapping off easily, you can use scissors to snip the stalk just above the fruit.

Any unripe tomatoes that are starting to crack should be snipped off and left to ripen indoors.

HARVEST REGULARLY FOR BEST RESULTS

Picking ripe tomatoes encourages the plant to focus more energy on ripening the remaining fruits.

If tomatoes are left on the plant too long, they are susceptible to cracking and attracting unwanted pests.

Don't worry if you need to harvest some while they're still green! Roma tomatoes will continue to ripen indoors when placed in a warm, bright spot.

COMMON ISSUES

BLOSSOM END ROT

A soft, black spot on the bottom of your tomatoes could indicate blossom end rot (BER). Once your tomatoes have BER, there is no way to reverse it.

BER is a common physiological disorder among some nightshade plants. It is due to a calcium deficiency from inconsistent waterings.

Calcium from the soil is absorbed into the plant through ample moisture. So in the event of a drought, or inconsistent watering cycles, the plant's ability to absorb calcium is reduced. This lack of calcium appears as a soft, rotted patch at the bottom of the fruit.

You can cut off the blossom end rot and safely eat the rest of the tomato. However, it is known to not have the best taste.

The absolute BEST way to prevent BER is to keep your watering cycle as consistent as possible, making sure your tomato plant is watered thoroughly until harvest time.

Some people choose to add calcium to the soil at the sight of their first tomato with BER to prevent other fruits from having it. There is conflicting evidence of this being effective at all. Most experts will say the only way to avoid blossom end rot is to keep your tomato plant consistently watered.

YELLOWING LEAVES

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Although a Roma tomato plant prefers moist conditions, soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot.

Remove affected leaves. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out. Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.

If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

LEGGY

A definite sign of not enough sunlight.

If you notice your Roma tomao plant looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.

This plant needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily!

FLOWERS DROPPING

Extreme weather conditions (heat stress or cold spells) can cause Roma tomato flowers to fall off before bearing fruiit.

Make sure to keep the plant well watered and protect it from sudden temperature changes if possible.

CRACKED TOMATOES

Irregular waterings is the most common cause of cracked (almost ripe) tomatoes.

For example, a Roma tomato plant that consistently goes through a major dry spell in high heat followed by a heavy watering can run the risk of cracking.

This happens because a tomato that was once short on water is now absorbing a lot of water all at once, and the skin cannot stretch fast enough to keep up.

If you leave your cracked tomatoes on the plant to ripen, it will naturally develop a scar to protect itself. Keep in mind, this exposed tomato flesh can also attract unwanted pests.

You may remove the cracked tomato early and let it continue ripening on a windowsill or kitchen counter. A cracked/scarred tomato is still safe to eat as long as your cut off the cracked areas.