Pinching out tomatoes
Difficulty: Easy · Time: approx. 10 minutes
'Pinching out' means removing the small side shoots that grow in the leaf axils (between stem and leaf). For most cordon tomatoes it's worth it: the plant then puts its energy into fruit instead of ever more leaf mass.
It's quick and you need no tools – just remember to do it regularly, ideally once a week.
What you'll need
- Your fingers (best in the morning)
- Optional: clean scissors for thicker shoots
- Optional: gloves
Step by step
- 1
Spot the suckers
Find the small shoots growing diagonally from the axil between the main stem and a leaf stalk – those are the suckers (not the flower trusses!).
- 2
Pinch out small ones
While the shoots are small (a few cm): just snap them off sideways with two fingers. The wound is small and heals fast.
- 3
Cut larger ones
If they're already thicker, cut them off close to the stem with clean scissors to avoid tearing.
- 4
Keep it up
Check once a week – suckers grow back fast. Work in the morning/in dry weather so the wounds dry off better.
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Upload a photo →Frequently asked questions
- Sucker or flower truss – how to tell?
- The sucker grows in the AXIL between stem and leaf and looks like a mini plant with its own leaves. Flower trusses grow directly off the stem and bear flowers – leave those!
- Do I have to pinch out every tomato?
- No. Cordon tomatoes (most grown up a cane) yes, bush/determinate varieties no – they fruit on the side shoots.