Why You Might Want to Stop Removing Tomato Suckers: What Gardeners Are Starting to Realize

For many home gardeners, growing tomatoes is more than just a seasonal hobby—it’s a deeply satisfying ritual that combines patience, care, and the promise of flavorful, homegrown fruit. Over the years, one gardening practice has become almost second nature: removing tomato suckers. These small shoots, which appear between the main stem and leaf branches, are often pinched off without a second thought.

But what if this long-standing habit deserves a second look? Recent insights from horticultural experts and experienced growers suggest that letting tomato suckers grow—rather than removing them—may actually lead to healthier plants and higher overall yields. As gardening philosophies shift toward more natural and sustainable practices, it’s time to reconsider whether aggressive pruning is truly necessary.

This article explores what tomato suckers really are, why they have traditionally been removed, and why many gardeners are now choosing to let them thrive.

Understanding Tomato Suckers and Their Natural Role

Tomato suckers are shoots that develop in the joint where a leaf meets the main stem. If left alone, these shoots can grow into full branches capable of producing flowers and fruit. Suckers are especially common on indeterminate tomato varieties, which continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season.

Although they start small, suckers are not weak or useless growths. They are a natural part of the tomato plant’s structure and growth cycle. Like the main stem, they contain leaves that contribute to photosynthesis and can significantly influence the plant’s overall productivity.

Why Gardeners Have Traditionally Removed Suckers

The practice of removing suckers comes from the belief that pruning helps the plant concentrate its energy on fewer stems, resulting in larger and more uniform fruit. Gardeners have also been taught that pruning improves airflow and sunlight penetration, potentially reducing the risk of fungal diseases such as early blight or powdery mildew.

In commercial farming, where uniform size and easy harvesting matter, this approach can make sense. However, for home gardeners focused on total yield, resilience, and plant health, the benefits of heavy pruning may be overstated.

The Case Against Aggressive Sucker Removal

Recent research and expert opinions suggest that removing suckers may do more harm than good. According to horticulturists, excessive pruning can stress tomato plants, creating open wounds that increase vulnerability to pests and disease. Each cut is, in essence, an injury that the plant must heal.

Allowing suckers to grow creates more leaf surface area, which improves photosynthesis and strengthens the plant overall. Studies referenced by university extension programs such as Cornell Cooperative Extension and Oregon State University Extension indicate that unpruned or lightly pruned tomato plants often produce higher total yields, even if individual fruits are slightly smaller.

How Tomato Suckers Can Improve Yield and Plant Health

Every sucker has the potential to become a fruit-producing branch. When left to grow, suckers increase the number of flowering sites, directly boosting the plant’s productive capacity. This is especially valuable for gardeners who prioritize abundance over perfect uniformity.

Additional foliage also provides natural shade, protecting fruit from sunscald—a common issue in hot climates. According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, excessive sun exposure can damage tomato skins, making additional leaf cover an advantage rather than a drawback.

Encouraging Natural Growth for Stronger Plants

Letting tomato plants grow more naturally results in bushier, sturdier structures. These plants are often better equipped to withstand environmental stressors such as wind, heavy rain, and short periods of drought.

More foliage also contributes to healthier soil by shading the ground, reducing moisture evaporation, and supporting beneficial microorganisms. This approach aligns well with organic and regenerative gardening principles promoted by organizations like the Rodale Institute, which emphasize minimal intervention and working with nature rather than against it.

Maximizing Harvests Without Over-Pruning

Comparative trials between pruned and unpruned tomato plants frequently show that unpruned plants yield more fruit overall. While pruned plants may produce slightly larger tomatoes, the total harvest weight often favors plants allowed to grow freely.

For home gardeners, especially those with limited space but long growing seasons, this trade-off can be well worth it. A fuller plant with multiple productive branches means more tomatoes throughout the season.

Gardening Techniques That Embrace Tomato Suckers

Innovative gardeners have found creative ways to work with suckers rather than removing them. One popular method is layering, where a sucker is gently bent to the ground and partially buried, encouraging it to develop its own root system. This technique effectively creates a new plant without starting from seed.

Another approach involves proper staking or trellising, which supports additional growth and prevents overcrowding. By training branches vertically, gardeners can enjoy the benefits of extra growth while maintaining airflow and accessibility.

Managing Suckers Without Eliminating Them

Letting suckers grow doesn’t mean abandoning all control. Strategic management is key. Gardeners can selectively remove only those suckers that cause severe overcrowding or block airflow near the base of the plant.

Regular observation, gentle training, and adequate support ensure a balanced structure that allows sunlight to reach all parts of the plant. This middle-ground approach offers the best of both worlds.

Debunking Common Myths About Tomato Suckers

One persistent myth is that suckers “steal” nutrients from the main stem. In reality, tomato plants distribute resources throughout their structure, and additional branches contribute energy through photosynthesis.

Another misconception is that pruning is essential for disease prevention. While airflow matters, research from institutions like Iowa State University Extension shows that sanitation, proper spacing, and soil health play a much larger role in disease control than aggressive pruning alone.

What Gardening Experts Are Saying Today

Many modern horticultural experts advocate for a more relaxed approach to sucker management. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, an extension horticulturist at Washington State University, has repeatedly emphasized that excessive pruning offers few benefits and may reduce plant resilience.

Experienced gardeners are increasingly encouraged to experiment, observe results, and adapt techniques based on climate, soil conditions, and personal goals.

Real-World Success Stories from Gardeners

Across gardening forums and extension workshops, home growers report positive results after abandoning strict sucker removal. A gardener in California noted a significant increase in total harvest after allowing suckers to grow on indeterminate varieties.

Meanwhile, growers in the Midwest have observed improved drought tolerance, with fuller plants retaining soil moisture more effectively during dry spells. These real-life experiences reinforce what research increasingly supports: tomato plants often perform best when allowed to grow more naturally.

Rethinking an Old Gardening Rule

The idea that tomato suckers must always be removed is no longer a universal truth. By understanding their role and benefits, gardeners can make more informed decisions that lead to healthier plants and more abundant harvests.

Sometimes, the best way to grow better tomatoes isn’t by cutting more—but by letting nature do a little more of the work.