What Are Suckers On Tomato Plants

Those leafy shoots rising from the base of your tomato plant compete for nutrients and should be pinched off to redirect energy toward fruit production. If you have ever asked yourself what are suckers on tomato plants, you are not alone. Every gardener notices these little branches appearing in the crotch between the main stem and a side branch. They seem harmless, but they can actually reduce your harvest if left alone.

Understanding the difference between a helpful branch and a sucker is a key skill. It is not complicated, but it does require a bit of knowledge. Once you learn to spot them, you will be able to manage your plants with confidence.

Suckers are the small shoots that grow out of the joint where a leaf stem meets the main trunk. They are also called side shoots. These shoots will grow into a full-sized stem if you leave them alone. That new stem will produce flowers and fruit, but it also takes energy away from the main plant.

Think of the plant like a business. The main stem is the manager. The leaves are the workers that gather sunlight. The roots are the bank account. A sucker is like hiring a new employee who does not do much work but still takes a paycheck. It uses resources without giving you a better return.

When you remove suckers, you force the plant to focus on the existing stems. This leads to bigger fruit and better airflow. Airflow is important because it helps prevent fungal diseases. Dense foliage keeps moisture trapped, which is exactly what mold and blight need to thrive.

Why Do Tomato Plants Grow Suckers

Tomato plants grow suckers because they are programmed to survive. In the wild, a tomato plant is a sprawling vine. It wants to take over as much ground as possible. Each sucker is a chance to create a new branch that can root into the soil and become a separate plant.

This is a survival mechanism. If a storm breaks the main stem, the suckers are backups. They ensure the plant continues to grow and produce seeds. In a garden setting, you do not need this backup. You want a single, strong plant that puts all its energy into the fruit you will eat.

There is also a genetic factor. Indeterminate varieties, which grow all season, produce many more suckers than determinate varieties. Determinate types are bushy and stop growing at a certain height. They naturally produce fewer suckers because their growth cycle is shorter.

How To Identify A Sucker On A Tomato Plant

Identifying a sucker is easy once you know what to look for. Stand in front of your plant and look at the main stem. You will see leaves branching off to the sides. Where the leaf attaches to the stem, there is a small V-shaped crotch. The sucker grows right out of that V.

Here are the key features of a sucker:

It starts as a tiny green shoot with two small leaves
It grows at a 45-degree angle from the main stem
It appears between the main stem and a leaf stem
It grows faster than the main stem in some cases
It will eventually form its own flower cluster if left alone

Do not confuse a sucker with a flower cluster. A flower cluster looks like a small bunch of green balls. It is usually shorter and thicker. A sucker looks like a new branch with pointy leaves. If you are unsure, wait a day or two. The sucker will elongate quickly, while the flower cluster stays compact.

When Should You Remove Suckers

Timing matters when it comes to sucker removal. The best time to remove them is when they are small. A sucker that is less than two inches long is easy to pinch off with your fingers. It leaves a small wound that heals quickly.

If you wait too long, the sucker becomes woody. You will need pruning shears to cut it off. A large cut can stress the plant and leave it open to disease. It is much better to check your plants every week and remove suckers while they are young.

Here is a simple schedule for sucker management:

Check your plants every 7 to 10 days
Pinch off any sucker smaller than your thumb
Use clean shears for larger suckers
Remove suckers in the morning when the plant is hydrated
Stop removing suckers about a month before the first frost

Stopping early is important. The plant needs some foliage to protect the fruit from sunscald. If you strip all the leaves off, the tomatoes will get too much direct sun and develop white, leathery patches. These patches are not harmful, but they look ugly and can affect the taste.

Which Suckers Should You Keep

Not all suckers are bad. In fact, there are times when you should keep them. If you are growing an indeterminate variety and you want more fruit, you can let a few suckers grow. This creates more stems, which means more flowers and more tomatoes.

However, more fruit does not mean bigger fruit. Each sucker you keep will produce smaller tomatoes. The plant has a limited amount of energy. If you spread it across many stems, each stem gets less. If you want large, juicy tomatoes, you should remove most suckers.

There is also the option of rooting the suckers. A removed sucker can be placed in a glass of water. Within a week, it will grow roots. You can then plant it in the soil to get a new tomato plant. This is a free way to double your crop without buying more seeds.

Here are the situations where you might keep a sucker:

You have a short growing season and want more fruit quickly
You are growing a determinate variety and want a bushier plant
You want to propagate a new plant from a cutting
You have a strong, healthy plant that can support extra growth
You are growing in a greenhouse with plenty of space

How To Remove Suckers Correctly

Removing a sucker is simple, but you need to do it correctly to avoid damaging the plant. The method depends on the size of the sucker. For small suckers, use your fingers. Pinch the sucker between your thumb and forefinger and bend it sideways until it snaps off.

For larger suckers, use a sharp pair of pruning shears. Make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle. This angle helps water run off the wound instead of pooling on it. Pooled water can cause rot or fungal growth.

Here is a step-by-step guide for proper sucker removal:

Wash your hands or wear gloves to avoid spreading disease
Locate the sucker in the V-shaped crotch
Grip the sucker firmly at its base
Bend it sideways until it snaps, or cut it with shears
Remove the sucker from the plant and dispose of it
Do not leave the sucker on the ground near the plant

You should also disinfect your shears between plants. If one plant has a disease, you can easily transfer it to another plant through the blades. A simple solution of one part bleach to nine parts water works well. Dip the blades in the solution and let them air dry.

Common Mistakes When Removing Suckers

Many gardeners make mistakes when dealing with suckers. One common error is removing too many at once. If you strip the plant of all its suckers in one day, you shock it. The plant will slow down its growth for a week or two while it recovers.

Another mistake is removing suckers from determinate varieties. Determinate tomatoes are meant to be bushy. They set all their fruit at once. If you remove too many suckers, you reduce the total yield. For determinate types, only remove suckers below the first flower cluster.

Here are other mistakes to avoid:

Removing suckers when the plant is wet, which spreads disease
Using dirty tools that introduce bacteria
Removing suckers that have already formed flower buds
Leaving a long stub instead of cutting close to the stem
Ignoring the suckers entirely and letting the plant become a jungle

You also need to think about your climate. In hot, dry areas, you might want to leave more suckers. The extra foliage shades the fruit and keeps the soil cooler. In humid areas, you should remove more suckers to improve airflow and reduce disease pressure.

Does Removing Suckers Increase Yield

The short answer is yes, but with some nuance. Removing suckers does not increase the total weight of fruit from the plant. Instead, it increases the size of each individual fruit. You get fewer tomatoes, but they are larger and more flavorful.

If you want maximum total weight, you should leave the suckers alone. The plant will produce many small tomatoes. If you want nice, big slicing tomatoes, you should remove the suckers. It is a trade-off between quantity and quality.

There is also a benefit in terms of ripening. When you remove suckers, the remaining fruit gets more sunlight. This helps the tomatoes ripen faster and more evenly. You will also have an easier time harvesting because the plant is less tangled.

Consider your end goal. If you are making sauce or canning, you might want more fruit. If you are eating fresh salads, you want bigger tomatoes. Tailor your sucker removal strategy to your needs.

How Suckers Affect Plant Health

Suckers can have a negative impact on plant health if left uncontrolled. A plant with too many suckers becomes dense and bushy. This density traps moisture and reduces airflow. High humidity around the leaves is a perfect environment for diseases like early blight and septoria leaf spot.

Dense foliage also attracts pests. Aphids and whiteflies love to hide in the cool, shaded interior of an overgrown plant. They are harder to spot and treat when the plant is a tangled mess. Removing suckers makes it easier to inspect your plants and catch problems early.

Nutrient competition is another issue. Each sucker is a growing tip that demands nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. When you have many suckers, the plant spends its energy on leaves and stems instead of fruit. This can lead to a condition called “all vine and no fruit.”

Here are the health benefits of regular sucker removal:

Better air circulation through the canopy
Reduced risk of fungal diseases
Easier pest inspection and control
More energy directed to fruit development
Stronger main stems that can support heavy fruit

Tools You Need For Sucker Removal

You do not need a lot of fancy equipment to remove suckers. For most of the season, your fingers are the best tool. They are precise, always available, and do not require cleaning. Just make sure your hands are clean before you start.

For larger suckers, you will want a pair of pruning shears. Look for a bypass style, not an anvil style. Bypass shears have two curved blades that slide past each other. They make a clean cut without crushing the stem. Anvil shears crush the stem, which can lead to disease.

You might also want a small spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. Use it to disinfect your shears between plants. This is especially important if you have had disease problems in the past. It takes just a few seconds and can save your entire crop.

Here is a simple tool list:

Your fingers for small suckers
Bypass pruning shears for larger suckers
Rubbing alcohol for disinfecting
Gloves if you are sensitive to tomato foliage
A bucket for collecting the removed suckers

You should also consider wearing long sleeves. Tomato plants have tiny hairs on their stems and leaves. These hairs can irritate your skin and leave a sticky residue. Gloves and long sleeves make the job more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do suckers on tomato plants produce fruit?

Yes, suckers will produce fruit if you leave them on the plant. Each sucker will grow into a full stem with its own flowers and fruit. However, the fruit will be smaller and may not ripen before the end of the season.

Can I plant a sucker directly in the ground?

Yes, you can plant a sucker directly in the ground. Remove the lower leaves and bury the stem up to the top leaves. It will root along the buried stem and grow into a new plant. Water it well for the first few days.

How often should I remove suckers from my tomato plants?

You should check your plants every week and remove new suckers as they appear. During peak growing season, you may need to do this twice a week. The more you stay on top of it, the easier it is.

What happens if I never remove suckers?

If you never remove suckers, your tomato plant will become a sprawling, dense bush. It will produce many small tomatoes, but the plant will be more susceptible to disease. The fruit may also take longer to ripen due to lack of sunlight.

Is it better to pinch or cut tomato suckers?

Pinching is better for small suckers because it is quick and leaves a small wound. Cutting is better for large, woody suckers because it creates a clean cut. Use your fingers for anything under two inches and shears for anything larger.

Managing suckers is one of the most important tasks in tomato gardening. It takes a little time each week, but the payoff is worth it. You will get healthier plants, bigger fruit, and fewer disease problems. Start checking your plants today and you will see the difference in your harvest.