Rooting Tomato Cuttings in Water: Turning Suckers Into New Plants
Tomato cuttings are most often the side shoots, or suckers, that you pinch off a growing plant. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes these suckers root easily and give you new plants without buying more transplants.
The short answer
Pinch suckers off early while they are small. Remove some of the leaves to cut water loss. Clemson roots them in small pots in bright light out of direct sun or right in the garden soil. Its suckers rooted well in about three and a half weeks before they were transplanted.
What is a tomato sucker?
Clemson Extension explains that every place a leaf joins the main stem has a bud. That bud becomes a sucker. Clemson advises removing suckers while the plant is up to a couple of feet tall since they grow large if left on too long. Pinch each out.
NC State Extension notes tomatoes grow extra roots on any part of the stem that is under the soil. That habit explains why a sucker roots so readily.
How do you root a sucker in water?
The brief sources root suckers in soil. For water rooting, University of Maryland Extension describes a general method used for many houseplants. Cut a 3 to 5 inch stem with at least one node plus some leaves at the tip. Set it in a clean container of fresh tap water, no leaves under the surface.
Maryland Extension advises changing the water at least twice a week or when it looks cloudy, since bacteria in the water can lead to rot. Once roots form, let them grow in water for another week or two. Then plant the cutting in a small pot of moist potting mix.
| Step | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Take the sucker | Pinch it out while small | Clemson |
| Trim leaves | Remove some to cut water loss | Clemson |
| Root it | Small pot in bright, indirect light or in water | Clemson, Maryland |
| Change water | At least twice a week | Maryland |
| Plant out | After about three and a half weeks | Clemson |
Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension plus University of Maryland Extension.
When do rooted suckers go into the garden?
Clemson transplanted its suckers about three and a half weeks after it stuck them, once they showed a good root system. University of Minnesota Extension advises setting tomatoes outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Stake or cage plants when planting.
Tomatoes need full sun, per NC State. Set the rooted cutting deep. NC State advises burying the lower 2 to 3 inches of stem to boost root growth.
How to: step by step
- Pinch a small sucker from a leaf joint.
- Remove some of the larger leaves.
- Stand it in clean tap water or stick it in a small pot.
- Place it in bright light out of direct sun.
- Change the water at least twice a week.
- Plant it out once roots are well formed.
Troubleshooting
Cutting wilts: too many leaves. Pinch off a few more to cut water loss.
Cloudy water: bacteria. Change the water and rinse the jar.
Sucker too woody: it was left on too long. Clemson advises taking suckers early.
For more on root media see hydroponic in different mediums. Read make cannabis clones for cloning steps. See caring for your hydroponic system plus hydro setup environment for system notes. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Desuckering and rooting tomatoes, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
- Rooted tomato suckers, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
- Growing tomatoes in home gardens, University of Minnesota Extension
- Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Make more plants from cuttings: 5 plants that root easily in water, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Grows
FAQ
How long do tomato suckers take to root?
Clemson Cooperative Extension showed suckers stuck about three and a half weeks earlier that had rooted well and were ready to transplant. Exact time varies with light plus temperature.
Can suckers root straight in soil?
Yes. Clemson Extension roots suckers right next to the parent plant in the garden. It strips some leaves, sticks the stem deep in a hole plus packs soil around it so it roots all along the buried stem.
Where do tomato suckers grow?
Clemson notes a sucker grows from the bud found where each leaf joins the main stem. Pinch them out while they are small since they grow large if left on the plant too long.
Do rooted tomato cuttings need full sun?
NC State Extension notes tomatoes need full sun. University of Minnesota Extension adds that tomatoes are heat loving plants that need a long, frost free season. Root cuttings in bright indirect light, then plant them in sun.
Should leaves be removed from a sucker?
Clemson advises removing some of the foliage since the leaves are what cause the cutting to lose moisture. You can take off full leaves or pinch back part of each one.
