Why Do My Tomato Plants Look Wilted in the Sun?

Significance

• Tomato plants may wilt in the heat of the day, but should rebound when cooler evening temperatures arrive. If a plant remains wilted, it needs water. Tomatoes need constantly moist, but not soggy, soil for best growth. If the soil is too dry, the plants produce fewer tomatoes or the tomatoes have brown spots on the ends, known as blossom end rot. If the soil is too wet, the tomato skins may crack.

Considerations

• Other problems associated with the sun include sun scald and flower dropping. In hot climates especially, tomatoes may develop brown leathery patches or unripened areas due to overexposure to the sun. When temperatures soar above 85 F, tomato plants may drop their blossoms and fail to produce fruit. Tomatoes may not ripen efficiently when temperatures are very hot.

Solutions

• Lay a lightweight sheet or landscaping fabric over tomatoes in the heat of the day to shield them from the sun and prevent sun scald. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tomatoes dropping blossoms or failing to ripen because of high temperatures. The problem will resolve itself when cooler temperatures return.