Cherry Tomato

Days to harvest

75–90 days

Sunlight

6–8 hours/day

Watering

1–2 per day

Plant spacing

45 cm

Minimum container size

40cm deep × 35cm wide

Container-friendly

1 plants per container

Estimated yield

250 kg / 100m²

Life span

annual

Climate Requirements

Ideal temperature

21-32 °C

Annual rainfall

1000-2000 mm

Humidity

50-70%

Heat tolerance

moderate

Drought tolerance

moderate

Moderate heat tolerance but fruit set drops above 35°C. In urban KL, provide afternoon shade during El Niño. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep roots.

Soil & Planting

Companion Plants

• Sweet Basilstrong

  The most documented companion pair: basil volatile compounds (linalool, estragole) repel thrips, aphids, and whitefly from tomato; anecdotally reported to enhance tomato flavour; both share similar water needs

• Spring Onionstrong

  Allium compounds in soil suppress Fusarium and Verticillium — the main soilborne wilt diseases of tomato in SEA

• Shallotmoderate

  Shallots' allicin root exudates create chemical barrier against soilborne fungi near tomato root zone

• Mintmoderate

  Mint repels aphids, whiteflies, and flea beetles; aromatic oils mask tomato scent

Plants to Avoid Nearby

• Eggplant

  Eggplant and tomato are both Solanaceae; planting adjacently concentrates bacterial wilt, TYLCV whitefly vectors, and Phytophthora blight in a confined area, creating severe outbreak risk

• Bird's Eye Chili

  Cross-Solanaceae disease vector concentration; particularly TYLCV and CMV transmitted by shared whitefly/aphid populations

• Mustard Greens

  Tomato root allelopathic compounds suppress Brassica germination and seedling establishment

• Spinach

  Tomato is allelopathic to many leafy greens; root exudates can suppress bayam germination and slow establishment

• Bok Choy

  Allelopathic competition — tomato root compounds suppress Brassica seedling establishment

• Papaya

  Both are attractive to similar whitefly populations (Bemisia tabaci) that vector TYLCV (tomato) and CMV (papaya); adjacency multiplies vector pest pressure

• Sweet Corn

  Both are heavy feeders; severe nitrogen and phosphorus competition in shared beds; tomato also competes with corn for height and light; corn pollen can also cause tomato flowering disruption

• Kale

  Brassica root compounds compete with tomato; shared whitefly and aphid pest pressure

• Kailan / Chinese Broccoli

  Kailan shared pest pressure with tomato; both attract whiteflies that vector multiple diseases

Common Pests & Diseases

Safety Notes

Observe 7-14 day PHI after chemical pesticide application. Wash thoroughly before consumption. Use organic neem oil spray as alternative to synthetic pesticides. Avoid harvesting immediately after fertiliser application.

Market Demand

Very high demand; staple in Malaysian cooking

Regional Notes

Best during dry season; needs staking

Sources

• Vegetable Growing Guide for Malaysia — DOA Malaysia · Last reviewed: 2026-04-12