Looking for the sweetest tomatoes? Check out my top 10 list of the sweetest tomato varieties, including cherry and plum types, with tips on how to grow them for maximum flavor.
Hey there, gardening friends! I’m Ashley Scott, and with over 10 years of gardening experience, I’ve grown more tomatoes than I can count. But there’s something magical about biting into a tomato so sweet it tastes like a gift from the sun. If you’re searching for the sweetest tomatoes to plant in your garden, you’re in the right spot.
Picture this: A few summers ago, I popped a ‘Sungold’ cherry tomato into my mouth straight from the vine, and it was like tasting sunshine—sweet, juicy, and unforgettable. That moment sparked my obsession with finding the best tasting tomatoes. In this article, I’ll share my top 10 picks for the sweetest tomato varieties, explain what makes them so sugary, and give you practical tips to grow them yourself. Plus, I’ll answer common questions like “What is the sweetest tomato?” and “How can I make my tomatoes sweeter?” Ready to dig in? Let’s get started!
What Makes Tomatoes Sweet?
Before we dive into the list, let’s unpack what gives tomatoes their sweetness. The secret lies in the Brix scale, a handy tool that measures sugar content. A tomato with a Brix rating of 10, for example, has 10% sugar by weight. The higher the Brix, the sweeter the tomato.
Here’s a fun fact from my gardening adventures: smaller tomatoes—like cherry, plum, and grape varieties—tend to be sweeter than big beefsteak types. Why? They have less water, so the sugars are more concentrated. But it’s not just about the variety. How you grow them matters too. Sunlight, soil, and watering all play a part in boosting that sweet flavor. Later, I’ll share my tried-and-true tips to maximize sweetness, but first, let’s meet the stars of the show.
Top 10 Sweetest Tomato Varieties
Here’s my roundup of the top 10 sweetest tomatoes you can grow in your USA garden. These picks are based on Brix ratings, gardener feedback, and my own taste tests over the years. I’ve focused on varieties suited for snacking, salads, and even sauces—perfect for us tomato lovers!
1. Sun Sugar
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: Around 10
- Days to Maturity: 62 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: ‘Sun Sugar’ is my go-to for a sweet treat. These golden-orange cherry tomatoes are bursting with sugar and a hint of tang. They’re perfect for eating fresh off the vine or tossing into a salad. The plants are super productive and resist cracking, making them a reliable choice.
2. Sungold
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: 9.3
- Days to Maturity: 57 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: ‘Sungold’ is a fan favorite for a reason. Its small, orange fruits have a tropical, candy-like sweetness that kids and adults adore. I’ve grown these for years, and they never fail to impress. Plus, they’re resistant to tobacco mosaic virus and Fusarium wilt.
3. Apero
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: 9.5
- Days to Maturity: 65 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: ‘Apero’ brings a zesty, sweet flavor to the table. These red cherry tomatoes are ideal for sweetest tomatoes for salad. Grow them in full sun, and you’ll be rewarded with a juicy, sugary bite every time.
4. Floridity
- Type: Mini Plum
- Brix: 9.5
- Days to Maturity: 70 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: This mini plum variety produces trusses loaded with sweet fruits. It’s split-resistant, which is a lifesaver if your weather flips between wet and dry. A great pick for fresh eating or a sweet sauce.
5. Sweet Million
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: 8-9
- Days to Maturity: 60-65 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: True to its name, ‘Sweet Million’ pumps out tons of small, red, sweet tomatoes. It’s one of the sweetest cherry tomatoes I’ve grown, and it keeps producing all season long—perfect for snacking or sharing.
6. Supersweet 100
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: Around 9
- Days to Maturity: 65 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: An upgrade from ‘Sweet 100,’ this variety delivers even more sweetness. It’s a high-yielder with clusters of tiny, red gems that are among the sweetest tomatoes to eat fresh.
7. Juliet
- Type: Grape
- Brix: Around 8
- Days to Maturity: 60 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: ‘Juliet’ tomatoes (yes, Juliet tomatoes!) are sweet, meaty grape tomatoes with a longer shelf life. They resist cracking and diseases, making them low-maintenance and delicious for salads or roasting.
8. Sakura
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: 8.8
- Days to Maturity: 70 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: ‘Sakura’ is a vigorous cherry tomato with solid sweetness and disease resistance (like Fusarium wilt). It’s a great all-rounder for fresh eating or cooking.
9. Honeycomb
- Type: Cherry
- Brix: Around 9
- Days to Maturity: 75 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: These yellow cherry tomatoes have a honey-like sweetness that’s hard to resist. They’re gorgeous in salads and a fun twist on the usual red varieties.
10. Rosada
- Type: Baby Plum
- Brix: 10.5
- Days to Maturity: 70 days
- Growth Habit: Indeterminate
- Description: The Rosada tomato tops the charts with a Brix of 10.5, making it a contender for the sweetest tomato title. Its baby plum fruits are sugary and rich, though it’s trickier to find in the US. Check specialty seed suppliers, or try ‘Santonio’ as a substitute.
Note: Taste can be subjective, and Brix ratings vary slightly based on growing conditions. These are my top picks after years of experimenting in my garden!
How to Grow Tomatoes for Maximum Sweetness
Choosing the sweetest tomato varieties is half the battle—how you grow them seals the deal. Here are my best tips, honed over a decade of trial and error, to ensure your tomatoes are as sweet as can be.
Choose the Sunniest Spot
Tomatoes crave sunlight—at least 6-8 hours a day. More sun means more sugar. I once planted ‘Sungold’ in a shady corner, and the fruits were tasty but not nearly as sweet as those in full sun. Pick your brightest spot!
Prep Your Soil
Good soil is key. I mix in compost or aged manure to make it rich and well-draining. Aim for a pH of 6.0-6.8—test it with a kit from your local garden store. If it’s off, tweak it with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower). Learn more about soil prep here.
Water Consistently
Watering is a balancing act. Too little, and the plants stress out; too much, and the flavor dilutes. I water deeply once or twice a week, using a soaker hose to keep leaves dry and avoid disease. Consistency is your friend!
Fertilize Smart
Use a balanced fertilizer like 5-10-10 to boost fruiting without overdoing nitrogen (which makes leafy plants but less sweet fruit). I learned this the hard way when my first crop was all leaves and no flavor!
Prune Indeterminate Varieties
For indeterminate types (those that keep growing), I snip off suckers—the little shoots between the stem and branches. This directs energy to the fruit, making them sweeter. Don’t overdo it, though—some leaves are needed for energy.
Harvest at Peak Ripeness
Timing is everything. Pick tomatoes when they’re fully colored and slightly soft. I’ve found that vine-ripened ‘Sun Sugar’ beats anything store-bought. If frost threatens, ripen them indoors.
Try Containers
Got limited space? Grow in pots! I’ve had great luck with sweetest cherry tomatoes like ‘Sweet Million’ in 5-gallon containers. You control the soil and sun exposure better. Check out my guide on Black Winged Pests on Tomato Plants : Essential Guide to Identification and Control.
Follow these steps, and your tomatoes will be the talk of the neighborhood!
FAQs About Sweet Tomatoes
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some common queries about the sweetest tomatoes, perfect for voice search and featured snippets.
What is the Sweetest Tomato Variety?
The sweetest tomato is often ‘Rosada,’ with a Brix of 10.5. Since it’s rare in the US, ‘Sun Sugar’ (Brix ~10) and ‘Sungold’ (Brix 9.3) are top alternatives.
Are Cherry Tomatoes Sweeter Than Regular Tomatoes?
Yes! Cherry and plum tomatoes—like the ones on my list—usually beat larger tomatoes in sweetness because their lower water content concentrates the sugars.
How Can I Make My Tomatoes Sweeter?
Grow them in full sun, use rich soil, water evenly, limit nitrogen, and harvest when ripe. It’s worked wonders in my garden!
What is the Brix Scale?
The Brix scale measures sugar content. A higher number means a sweeter tomato—simple as that.
Can I Grow Sweet Tomatoes in Pots?
You bet! Cherry varieties like ‘Supersweet 100’ thrive in pots. Use a big enough container (5+ gallons) and give them support.
Are Roma Tomatoes Sweet?
Not really. Roma tomatoes are more tart and meaty, better for sauces than snacking. For sweetest tomatoes for sauce, try ‘Juliet’ or ‘Floridity.’
Conclusion
Growing the sweetest tomatoes is a mix of picking the right varieties and giving them some TLC. Whether you go for ‘Sun Sugar,’ ‘Sungold,’ or even hunt down ‘Rosada,’ you’re in for a treat. With my tips, you’ll be harvesting tomatoes so sweet they’ll rival candy.
What’s your favorite tomato? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories! And if you found this helpful, share it with your gardening buddies or subscribe to USA Garden Hub for more tips. Happy planting!