Garden tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
#25 of the top 100

How to care
Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant, is a popular fruit-bearing plant that thrives in warm, sunny environments. It requires consistent care to produce healthy fruit, including regular watering, fertilization, and occasional pruning. Tomatoes prefer well-draining soil and benefit from support structures like stakes or cages to keep the plant upright as it grows.

Light Preference
Full Sun
Size
- Height
- 1.5 m – 2.5 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m – 1 m
- Years
- 1



Preferred soil
Clay
Loam
Sand
Acidic
Neutral
Propagation
Cutting
Life Cycle
Perennial
Lives for more than two years.
Hardiness Zone
11
4.4°C – 10°C
Leaves
- Green
Flowers
- Yellow
Toxic to
- LeafCatsModerate · Ingestion
- LeafDogsModerate · Ingestion
- LeafHumansMild · Ingestion
- LeafHumansMild · Skin contact
- FruitDogsMild · Ingestion
Informational only — not veterinary or medical advice. Missing data does not mean a plant is safe.
Edible parts
The fruit of the garden tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is widely consumed as a vegetable. It is an edible berry that can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes. Tomatoes are a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, often used in sauces, soups, and stews.
Informational only — not a guarantee that a part is safe to eat. Missing data does not mean a plant is inedible.
Other names
- Love apple
Botanical Synonyms
- Lycopersicon esculentum
Taxonomy
- Order
- Solanales
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Solanum