"Suckers" or "shoots" that grow in the crotch joint of two branches may also be removed from plants so they "do not become top-heavy and topple over," LeHoullier advises. When the leaves below the first set of flowers begin to turn yellow, it can be a useful indicator of when to begin pruning.Ĭlipping off leaves as soon as any spots or deformation become visible is also recommended to stave off the rest of the plant from succumbing to a potential fungal disease. Removing and pruning the bottom leaves on a tomato plant helps to prevent fungal diseases from taking hold. This can lead to potential fungus growth. This is because they are the oldest leaves on the plant and sit at the base of the plant stem, receiving the least amount of sun and airflow. myLoupe/Universal Images/Getty Images Pruning Leaves & ShootsĪ good rule of thumb is to watch out for when your tomato plant reaches about 3 feet in height, as the leaves from the bottom foot of the stem should be removed. Tomatoes need plenty of room to spread out and grow as crowded conditions can inhibit their growth and lead to disease. There are literally thousands of tomato varieties-and whether they are tall (indeterminate), or short (determinate or dwarf) mean a lot in terms of how they need to be supported."Ī good place to start is to remember that tomatoes need plenty of room to spread out and grow, as crowded conditions can inhibit their growth and lead to disease.įine Gardening magazine advises that in order to maximize the efficiency of photosynthesis and minimize the risk of disease, each leaf on a tomato plant needs to have plenty of space and should be supported up off the ground. "But the areas they grow them in (climatic zones/weather) and methods (garden, raised bed, container, straw bales) vary so widely. "Everyone likes to grow tomatoes," Craig LeHoullier, a tomato-growing expert, self-described "tomato nut," author of Epic Tomatoes and co-host of Tomatopalooza, told Newsweek. John Innes Centre UK/Getty Images Pruning and Trimming Tomato Plants Tomatoes are tasty, relatively easy to grow and provide a versatile cooking and salad ingredient.
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