The words determinate and indeterminate can be used to describe the growth of several plants, including tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peas, squash, and some peppers. However, these terms are most commonly used when talking about tomatoes.

​

Determinate and indeterminate describe how a tomato plant grows and produces fruit.

 

Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain size and then mostly stop growing. They are usually shorter and more bush-like. Most determinate tomatoes grow about 3–5 feet tall. They produce most of their tomatoes around the same time. The harvest may only last a few weeks. This makes them a good choice for canning, making sauce, or anyone who wants a lot of tomatoes at once. They usually do not need much pruning. They may still need a cage or stake to hold them up.

​

Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing throughout the season. They are usually taller and more vine-like. Many can grow 6–10 feet tall or more. They keep making flowers and tomatoes until cold weather or frost kills the plant. This means you can pick tomatoes over a longer period of time. They usually need a strong cage, stake, or trellis. They may also need some pruning to keep them from getting too large.​​​​