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How often should you water tomato plants and when should you do it
By Katie Mortram published 15 September 2022 Ever asked yourself: how often should you water tomato plants?
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Henry Schmidt 5 minutes ago
Here's the answer (Image credit: Shutterstock) Whether you're new to tomato plants, or a seasoned ga...
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Chloe Santos 6 minutes ago
Before you know it, the plant is past recovery, and you've lost your tomato supply.
That's why...
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Henry Schmidt Member
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Here's the answer (Image credit: Shutterstock) Whether you're new to tomato plants, or a seasoned gardener, one thing every grower questions is: how often should you water tomato plants? Tomato plants are one of the most popular choices for home-grown vegetables - they're straightforward to grow, quick to prune, and they produce delicious results quickly.
The problem is, it's all too easy to make a mistake when it comes to these plants. And while you can learn how to get rid of tomato blossom end rot, saving a tomato plant which has been over-, or under-watered is a whole other challenge.
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Isabella Johnson 6 minutes ago
Before you know it, the plant is past recovery, and you've lost your tomato supply.
That's why...
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Daniel Kumar Member
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Before you know it, the plant is past recovery, and you've lost your tomato supply.
That's why it's imperative that every tomato plant enthusiast learns how often to water these plants as well as when to do it. Here, we cover what you need to know to keep your tomato plants flourishing through the seasons.
How often should you water tomato plants  
How often you water your tomato plants and how much water to use will vary depending on the plant's maturity as well as the external conditions.
If you're dealing with seedlings, the soil will only need a small amount of water, to the point where it is moist, but not soaked.
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Andrew Wilson 3 minutes ago
This level of moisture will be adequate for the seeds to germinate. The soil will dry out quickly th...
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Chloe Santos 2 minutes ago
You should aim to water seedlings once a day, potentially twice if the plants are subjected to a hot...
This level of moisture will be adequate for the seeds to germinate. The soil will dry out quickly though, and because the plant is still young and growing, it needs regular attention.
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Madison Singh 5 minutes ago
You should aim to water seedlings once a day, potentially twice if the plants are subjected to a hot...
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James Smith 11 minutes ago
That way the excess water can drain from the soil and collect underneath. If the water can't drain, ...
You should aim to water seedlings once a day, potentially twice if the plants are subjected to a hot climate.
Watering seedlings by window (Image credit: Shutterstock)
When it comes to moving your seedlings to pots, you should ensure the pots have drainage holes and a suitable tray.
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Harper Kim 1 minutes ago
That way the excess water can drain from the soil and collect underneath. If the water can't drain, ...
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Sophia Chen 4 minutes ago
Both terra cotta and plastic plant pots work well for this, although plastic will retain water bette...
That way the excess water can drain from the soil and collect underneath. If the water can't drain, it will sit in the soil and suffocate the roots, eventually leading to root rot, so this detail is crucial.
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Nathan Chen 1 minutes ago
Both terra cotta and plastic plant pots work well for this, although plastic will retain water bette...
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Isaac Schmidt 5 minutes ago
Make sure you keep on top of its progress and adjust your routine as necessary. Water your tomato pl...
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Mia Anderson Member
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Both terra cotta and plastic plant pots work well for this, although plastic will retain water better between these two. If you choose to use a hanging basket, bear in mind it will require more frequent watering as the soil won't retain the water as efficiently.
With mature tomato plants, watering generously and regularly is best.
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Emma Wilson 13 minutes ago
Make sure you keep on top of its progress and adjust your routine as necessary. Water your tomato pl...
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James Smith 30 minutes ago
If you live in a hot climate or your tomatoes are in pots, make sure you take the time to check the ...
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Aria Nguyen Member
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Make sure you keep on top of its progress and adjust your routine as necessary. Water your tomato plants every day in the morning to start, aiming to apply about 1-2 inches of water over the week.
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Brandon Kumar 4 minutes ago
If you live in a hot climate or your tomatoes are in pots, make sure you take the time to check the ...
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Liam Wilson Member
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If you live in a hot climate or your tomatoes are in pots, make sure you take the time to check the moisture levels of the soil in the afternoons as well - you can do this by dipping your finger into the top inch of the soil. If the soil is already bone dry, you might need to water as much as twice a day.
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Isaac Schmidt 17 minutes ago
Likewise, if the temperature drops, you can scale back how much water you apply.
(Image credi...
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Noah Davis 9 minutes ago
You also shouldn't water your tomato plants if the soil is still moist from the previous watering se...
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Isaac Schmidt Member
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Likewise, if the temperature drops, you can scale back how much water you apply.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Do not overwater the soil though - it should be moist, but not soggy, otherwise you're risking root rot once again.
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Daniel Kumar Member
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You also shouldn't water your tomato plants if the soil is still moist from the previous watering session. If you're unsure of the soil conditions, you can always buy a soil meter.
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Ava White 10 minutes ago
We recommend the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter ($12.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)). If your tomato plants...
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Daniel Kumar 4 minutes ago
You should extend the water out in the soil to encourage wide root growth as well. Do not tip the wa...
We recommend the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter ($12.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)). If your tomato plants are outside, remember that rain water will count towards your weekly limit as well.
When watering your tomato plants, apply the water slowly and deeply around the base of the stem - this speed is necessary for better control of the quantity and application.
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Christopher Lee 23 minutes ago
You should extend the water out in the soil to encourage wide root growth as well. Do not tip the wa...
You should extend the water out in the soil to encourage wide root growth as well. Do not tip the water directly over the plant and leaves; this can encourage disease and also wastes any water which evaporates before it hits the soil.
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Daniel Kumar 53 minutes ago
When should you water tomato plants    
As mentioned earlier, water...
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Jack Thompson 45 minutes ago
It also means the plant has a chance to dry before being subjected to the sun and heat, which can de...
As mentioned earlier, watering your tomato plants in the morning is best. This is because it gives the moisture a chance to penetrate the soil before being evaporated by the sun's peak hours of the day.
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Audrey Mueller 49 minutes ago
It also means the plant has a chance to dry before being subjected to the sun and heat, which can de...
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Ava White Moderator
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025
It also means the plant has a chance to dry before being subjected to the sun and heat, which can deter burning.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
While watering your tomato plants again in the afternoon may be necessary if the heat of the day has dried out the soil, do not water your tomato plants in the evening. The drop in temperature combined with the moisture can encourage diseases such as fungus and tomato blossom end rot.Today's best tomato seeds deals47 Amazon customer reviews (opens in new tab)☆☆☆☆☆ (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$6.99 (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
If you're also interested in indoor plants, check out our guides on how to care for succulents, how to repot succulents and how to plant grass seed and get a greener yard.
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Sophie Martin Member
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We also cover how to care for air plants.
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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Katie MortramHomes EditorKatie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools.
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She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice!&n...
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She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to be stand mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time. More about homes
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How often should you water tomato plants and when should you do it Tom's Guide Skip to main conten...
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Here's why you can trust us.
How often should you water tomato plants and when should you do it ...