Top 100

Garden tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

#25 of the top 100

Garden tomato
Photo by David Besa from Sonoma, USA · CC BY

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

113

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

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

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