What Do Volunteer Tomato Plants Look Like?

Volunteer tomato plants are those that grow from self-seeding tomatoes. These plants come up on their own in gardens, farms, and even roadsides. You might be growing a specific variety of tomato in your garden, but you notice a different plant growing nearby. This new plant could be a volunteer tomato. But how do you recognize these plants? What do they look like? Let's dive in.

Characteristics of Volunteer Tomato Plants

Volunteer tomato plants can display a range of characteristics. These plants can sometimes look and behave differently from the original tomato plant. Some of the distinguishing features of volunteer tomato plants are:

Plant Size: Volunteer tomato plants can differ in size from their parent plants. Some may grow taller or bushier, while others may stay small and compact.

Leaf Shape: The leaves of the volunteer tomato plant can vary in shape and size from the parent plant.

Flower Color: While most tomato flowers are yellow, volunteer tomato plants can occasionally produce white flowers.

Fruit Size and Shape: The tomatoes produced by volunteer tomato plants can vary in size and shape, sometimes being smaller or larger than the parent variety.

You might also notice volunteer tomato plants growing in unexpected places, like in cracks in sidewalks or between other plants in your garden. Keep an eye out for any plants you didn't intentionally plant, and you might just find a volunteer tomato!

Why Do Tomato Plants Volunteer?

Tomatoes are known for their vigorous growth and hardiness. These plants can self-seed or spread through runners, meaning that new tomato plants can grow from the parent plant. Even after the harvest, some tomatoes may fall or be left behind, and these can eventually turn into new plants.

In some cases, the isolation of the parent plants can lead to self-pollination and the eventual growth of volunteer plants. These new plants can then produce fruits with differing characteristics.

Benefits of Volunteer Tomato Plants

Volunteer tomato plants can provide unexpected benefits to your garden. These plants often have strong genetics, as they were able to survive without any intervention from humans. This can result in plants that are more resistant to pests and diseases. Volunteers can also provide more variety in your garden, adding new colors, shapes, and flavors to your tomato harvest.

In addition, volunteer tomato plants can serve as an indicator of soil quality. If plants are growing in unexpected places, it could signal that the soil in that area is fertile and nutrient-rich.

Caring for Volunteer Tomato Plants

If you decide to keep and care for a volunteer tomato plant, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, provide sufficient water and sunlight for the plant's growth. You may also want to provide some support for the plant, such as a stake or trellis, to prevent it from falling over as it grows.

Make sure to monitor the plant for any signs of diseases or pests. Volunteer plants may be more resistant to certain issues, but they're not invincible, so you should still take the necessary precautions to protect your tomato plant.

Conclusion

Volunteer tomato plants are a fascinating and unexpected addition to any garden. They may look and behave differently from the original plant, but can provide a range of benefits, from new tomato varieties to indicators of healthy soil. Whether you intentionally plant tomatoes or not, keep an eye out for any volunteer plants that might pop up!