How to Prune a Tomato Tree

Overview

There are two types of tomato plants: indeterminate and determinate. Determinate plants are compact and bushy, growing to 4 feet tall. Indeterminate plants are also known as vining tomatoes; they can grow to 10 feet tall. There is a simple way to prune both types to keep the plants' sprawling growth under control and encourage fruit production.

Step 1

Wipe your pruning scissors with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol to sanitize them.

Step 2

Trim off any dead or broken branches.

Step 3

Pinch the tips of the branches throughout the growing season to encourage the plants to grow bushy and full. Every time you pinch a branch, only trim off the last set of two leaves.

Step 4

Trim back branches that are not blooming, as well as branches that are crowding one another. Don't trim too much; some foliage is necessary to shade developing fruit from the sun, wind and rain.

Step 5

Grow your tomato plant on a trellis; it will be easier to prune and may grow faster. Growing the plant vertically also makes it easier to locate and harvest the crop.