As your tomato plants grow, you’ll notice small shoots emerging from the joints where branches meet the main stem — these are called suckers or side shoots. While they look harmless (or even helpful), removing them can actually give you healthier plants and a better harvest.
Why Prune Side Shoots?
- Concentrates energy into the main stem and fruit clusters
- Improves airflow, which helps prevent fungal issues
- Keeps the plant manageable, especially in small spaces
- Speeds up fruit ripening by reducing overcrowding
Unpruned tomato plants often turn into dense jungles — and while that might look lush, it can reduce the size and quality of your fruit.
How and When to Prune
- Start pruning when your plant is about 12–18 inches tall.
- Locate side shoots between the main stem and a branch — they grow at a 45° angle.
- Pinch them off with your fingers when they’re small (2–4 inches long).
- Use clean scissors if shoots are larger, and avoid removing too many at once to prevent stress.
Indeterminate (vining) tomatoes benefit the most from regular pruning. Determinate (bushy) types usually don’t require much — just a little clean-up for airflow.
Grow smarter with AiFarming: Our platform lets you set pruning reminders and even shows visual guides to help identify which shoots to remove based on your plant type. It’s precision pruning without second-guessing.
