How Long Does it Take to Grow Tomatoes Indoors?

Indoor Tomato Growing

• Tomatoes grow indoors at any time of year. Early-season varieties require 40 to 60 days to ripen. Midseason varieties take 60 to 80 days to mature, while late season tomatoes require 80 or more days. This information is included on the seed packets and transplant markers.

Containers and Media

• Always use containers with drainage holes and drainage trays. Select the container size depending on the specific variety grown. Most tomatoes are deep rooted and grow best in 3- to 5-gallon containers. Some small varieties, like many cherry types or specific ones designated for container growing, do fine in a 1-gallon pot. Use top-quality potting soil or make your own growing mix using equal parts of peat moss, builder's sand and garden loam or compost.

Light, Temperature and Nutrients

• Select a location that provides the best lighting and temperatures. Tomatoes need at least 12 hours of direct sunlight. Choose a site by a south-facing door or window or use grow lights. Temperatures for growing tomatoes are 75 to 85 degrees during the day and 60 to 75 degrees at night. Fertilize tomatoes twice a month and water them as needed to maintain a moist growing media.

Selecting Tomatoes

• There are hundreds of varieties. You can plant a new crop every few weeks for staggered harvesting. Choose tomato varieties based on what you plan to use them, such as cooking, canning, pickling or slicing. Select tomatoes by the harvest date or plant some of each group to extend the harvest period over a long time. Container or dwarf varieties often do not need staking, but most vining or indeterminate types do.