How to propagate tomatoes from laterals

It is a good idea to break off the laterals (the smaller branches that grow in between the stem and main branches of the plant) of your tomato plant to encourage more energy to growing fruit (rather than new leaves).

If you wait until the laterals are thicker, you can actually use them to grow a new tomato plant. This will save you the time of growing it from seed, and if you’ve taken it off an early season plant, will provide you fruit later in the season so you’ll have a continuous supply of tomatoes.

1. Select a lateral branch that is fairly thick and sturdy.
2. Cut it off close to the main stem.
3. Trim off most leaves and flowers so there is only one or two leaves at the top of the lateral. You want the energy to go into producing roots, not feeding the leaves.
4. Decide if you want to plant it straight into the soil, or into a pot to keep inside first.
5. Make a deep hole into the soil where you will be planting the tomato (a stake can do this easily).
6. Plant the lateral into the soil, so that about half the stem is in the soil.
7. Push the soil in so the lateral is sturdy.
8. Give the lateral a good watering.
9. Wait for it to grow!