Propagating Tomatoes from Suckers: Clone Your Best Plants

Tomato suckers (side shoots that emerge at leaf axils) root easily and produce genetic clones of the parent—ideal for preserving a favorite variety mid-season.

How to Root a Sucker

1. Select a healthy sucker 4–6 inches long.
2. Snip just below a leaf node; remove lower leaves.
3. Place in water or stick directly into moist potting mix.
4. Keep humid (plastic dome or bag) and in bright, indirect light.
5. Roots appear in 7–10 days; transplant to 4″ pot, then garden.

Why It Works

• Exact replicate: Same flavor, disease resistance, growth habit.
• Faster than seed: Skips 4–6 weeks of seedling stage.
• Late-season insurance: Root suckers in July for a fall crop.

Tips

• Use indeterminate varieties; determinate types have fewer suckers.
• Don’t strip all suckers—leave some for foliage cover.
• Water consistently until established.

Sucker propagation is the quickest way to multiply a proven performer without buying new seed.