Skip to Content

Will Tomatoes Grow Back After Winter – Can They Be Protected?

Tomatoes are a plant that is very sensitive to extreme temperatures like the extreme heat and the cold. Growing tomato plants too early puts them in danger of dying or not growing. But, will tomatoes grow back after winter?

Unfortunately, most tomato plants will not grow back after winter when planted outdoors. Freezing temperatures can damage the stem, roots, and actual fruit of the plant. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can also cause plant decay.

In this article, we will be explaining everything that gardeners need to know when it comes to tomato plants in the wintertime. 

Can I Save My Tomato Plants For Next Year? 

Although tomato plants generally do not survive through the winter into the following year, there are some ways that you can save the reminisce of your tomato plants for the next season. You can do this by taking a cutting of your tomato plant before the season ends. It is recommended that you take a cutting from a large and healthy plant that has no signs of damage or disease. 

Once you take a cutting, the next step is to place the cutting in a container filled with water. Make sure that you choose a large container to allow for roots to grow from the cutting but not too large to submerge the leaves. All of the leaves from your cutting should be positioned outside the water. 

All that is left to do is place your cutting in a sunny, warm spot. You can place your cutting containers along a windowsill or on a sunny countertop.

Will Tomato Plants Come Back To Life? 

Once a tomato plant dies, they generally do not come back to life. Although this is unfortunate, tomato plants will not survive freezing temperatures. For this reason, many gardeners will grow new tomato plants each year when the weather becomes warm enough again. 

Do Tomato Plants Go Dormant? 

Tomato plants do not go dormant. This is because frigid temperatures during winter will kill tomato plants. This leaves nothing to grow next year when the temperature rises unless you plant a brand new tomato plant or a cutting that you have saved from one of your plants the previous year. 

What Do I Do With My Tomato Plants In Winter? 

There are a few things you can do with your tomato plants during the winter. The first option is to let your tomato plants die naturally and start over again with new plants the next year. The second option is to take a few cuttings from your largest and healthiest tomato plants and save them next year. It is important to keep in mind that you will need to continue caring for these cuttings throughout the winter season. 

Will My Tomato Plant Survive Winter? 

No, tomato plants do not generally survive winter weather. This is because tomato plants will die in freezing temperatures. It would be best if you aimed to plant tomatoes once the weather is somewhere around or above 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night. 

Can I Grow Tomatoes All Year Round? 

In most places, tomatoes cannot be grown year-round due to their sensitivity to extreme temperatures. This means that you cannot grow tomato plants if the temperature dips any lower than about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44 degrees celsius) because they will not be able to survive such extreme cold.

Similarly, some types of tomato plants cannot survive the extreme heat. This means that some kinds of tomatoes will not be able to survive the hot summer months in some parts of the world either. 

However, you could theoretically grow tomatoes year-round indoors if kept in ideal conditions. There are a couple of potential downsides to doing this, though. The first is that many people do not have the space inside their homes to grow multiple tomato plants, especially if the plants are large.

In addition to this, research has shown that tomatoes do not get as large when grown indoors compared to those grown outside. An indoor tomato plant may not produce as many tomatoes as outdoor tomato plants. 

Similarly, the life cycle of the tomato plant is not as long as some other kinds of plants. This means that you will likely need to cycle through several different tomato plants throughout the year when growing them inside.

What Do You Do With Tomatoes At The End Of The Season? 

The best thing you can do with your tomato plants at the end of the season is harvest the last batch of tomatoes and decide what you would like to do for next year. This is the best time to decide if you would like to take cuttings from your plants or let nature take its course with your current tomato plants. 

Things To Consider

Some other things that gardeners should consider about tomatoes growing back after winter. These things include how to tell if your tomato plant is dead and what temperatures could potentially kill your tomato plant. Here are some other things to consider regarding tomato plants in winter or bouts of cold weather. 

How To Tell If Your Tomato Plant Is Dead

It can be difficult for new gardeners to tell if their tomato plant is dead or in the process of dying. Here are some common signs that your tomato plant is at the end of its life cycle. 

  • If the plant has stopped producing fruit
  • Wilted and discolored leaves 
  • Spotted fruit 
  • Fruit that is notably smaller than usual
  • Dry leaves, stems, or roots
  • Signs of decay in the plant 

What Temperatures Could Kill Your Tomato Plant? 

No tomato plant can survive freezing temperatures. This means that a tomato plant will die if they are in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). When it comes to heat, some tomato plant types can differ in how high temperatures they can survive. Generally speaking, most tomato plants start to struggle in temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius), which could lead to the tomato plant dying. 

Questions & Comments For Me?
Write To Us At: 19046 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. # 1199 Tampa, FL 33647