Grow juicy, home-grown tomatoes on your balcony with the right variety, container, and care routine.
Tomatoes are the most popular balcony crop — and for good reason. With 6+ hours of direct sunlight and a large container, even a small balcony can produce an impressive harvest from spring through fall.
Tomatoes require at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Place pots on the sunniest side of your balcony. Rotate containers weekly for even growth if light comes from one direction only.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch feels dry. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks once fruit sets. Use a 7–10 gallon container minimum for full-size plants.
Install a cage or stake at planting time to avoid root damage later. Pinch off suckers on indeterminate varieties to focus energy on fruit production. Remove lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent disease.