Why are my tomatoes not turning red? This is a very common question that I get asked a lot!
In this post, I will talk about when tomatoes should turn red, and give you some reasons why they don’t. Then I’ll share my five tricks for how to ripen tomatoes on the vine faster.
Are your tomatoes slow to ripen on the vine? There’s nothing more frustrating about growing them than being forced to frantically pick tons of green tomatoes the night before frost.
Then you bring them inside to ripen, where most of them end up rotting in a paper bag on your counter instead. Yuck!
If you live in a cold climate like I do, you start to get pretty nervous in late summer when your plants are full of large tomatoes that aren’t ripening.
If you’re tired of being stuck with tons of green tomatoes in the fall, I’ve got you covered.
But first, let’s talk about when tomatoes should ripen, and the most common problems that cause them to stay green.
When Do Tomatoes Ripen & Turn Red?
The exact tomato ripening time depends on a few things, like the variety that you have, and your growing zone.
What month tomatoes ripen for the picking depends on a lot of factors the climate you live in, and a big factor is the temperature and sunlight exposure (they need warmth and full sun).
To give you an idea, here in Minnesota (z4b), my early tomatoes start ripening on the vine sometime in late-June. But the bulk of them don’t start turning red in mid-July, or even later in the summer.
How Long Does It Take For Tomatoes To Ripen?
In general, it takes about 6-8 weeks after the flowers are pollinated for tomatoes to ripen and turn red on the plant.
However, if there’s anything wrong with the environment, like extremely hot temperatures in the summer for example, then it will slow or even stop the ripening process.
That means your mature tomatoes will stay green on the vine, and they can stay that way for a very long time.
Related Post: How To Grow Tomatoes From Seed & When To Start
Why Aren’t My Tomatoes Turning Red?
There are a few things that prevent tomatoes from ripening. Some varieties will mature faster than others, but temperature and plant health are huge factors too.
Here are the 3 main reasons why your tomatoes aren’t turning red…
1. Temperature
Tomatoes won’t turn red if it’s too hot (above 85°F, or 29.4°C) or too cold (below 50°F, or 10°C ). This is probably the biggest culprit for most people, especially during a heatwave.
There’s not much you can about the weather. But you can try protecting your plant from extreme heat with a shade cloth, and add a thick layer of mulch over the top of the rootball to help cool down the soil.
Otherwise, your tomatoes will ripen once the weather cools down or warms up again.
2. Plant Is Overgrown
As tomato plants mature through the summer, they can become huge and overgrown.
When that happens, they tend to spend most of their energy on producing leaves and flowers, rather than ripening tomatoes.
Properly pruning them throughout the summer is important, and will result in more red tomatoes. So keep that in mind for the future.
3. Too Many Green Tomatoes
When your tomato plant is covered with small, immature fruits, they can steal energy away from ripening the mature ones.
So if you’re staring at a bunch of green tomatoes not turning red in late summer, don’t worry, it’s not too late!
There are still a few tricks you can try to give them one last push to ripen before cold temperatures are here to stay.
Related Post: How To Make Sturdy DIY Tomato Cages
How To Ripen Tomatoes On The Vine Faster (5 Easy Tricks)
We can’t force the plant to ripen tomatoes on the vine, but there are a few things we can do to help encourage them to turn red.
So, if fall is quickly approaching, and you’re stuck wondering how to turn green tomatoes red, then try these five tricks…
1. Cut Off The New Growth
The season is coming to an end, so your plant doesn’t need to waste anymore energy on new leaves.
Topping the plant and cutting off all the new foliage will give it more energy to ripen tomatoes faster.
2. Trim The Flowers
It takes a couple of months for tomatoes to ripen after the flowers have been pollinated.
This late in the season, it’s a pretty sure bet that new flowers aren’t going to amount to anything. So pick off all the flowers.
Related Post: How To Can Cherry Tomatoes
3. Pinch The Suckers
Suckers are the smaller stems that form between a branches and leaf joint. They get their name because they suck energy from the plant.
So be sure to pinch off all of the suckers you see on your tomato plant.
4. Pluck Off Tiny Tomatoes
I know it’s hard to remove any tomatoes from the plant, but these poor little babies won’t have time to mature before frost.
Pull them off so your plant can focus on ripening the larger green tomatoes on the vine instead.
5. Prune Some Of The Leaves
Don’t cut off all of the leaves, de-leafing tomatoes is never a good idea, even at the end of the season.
But if your plant is huge and full of healthy green leaves, you can trim off much of that vigorous growth.
Related Post: Why Do Cucumbers Turn Yellow & How To Prevent It
What To Do With Green Tomatoes
If you still have a ton of green tomatoes after trying all of these tricks for ripening them on the vine, all is not lost.
Once frost comes, you can gather all of them and bring them inside. Any that have started blushing will usually turn red on your counter.
But even the totally green ones are still good to eat, and there are a ton of ways you can use them. One of my favorites is pickling them, it’s easy and delicious!
FAQs
Below I’ve answered some of the most common questions I get about tomatoes not ripening on the vine. If you can’t find yours here, add it to the comments section.
How do I encourage my tomatoes to turn red?
To encourage your tomatoes to turn red on the vine, try giving your plant extra shade if the temperature is over 85°F (29.4°C). You can also remove the tiny green tomatoes and extra flowers, and cut back the foliage to force the plant to put its energy into ripening the mature fruits.
Why are my tomatoes growing but not turning red?
When your tomatoes keep growing but not turning red, it’s usually because the temperature is too hot (above 85°F, or 29.4°C). But it could also be because the plant is focusing too much energy on producing new fruits and foliage.
Why is it taking so long for my tomatoes to turn red?
The reason it takes so long for your tomatoes to turn red is usually because it’s too hot. They won’t ripen when it get above 85°F (29.4°C). You can try giving them extra shade and mulch the roots to help keep them cool.
Sometimes tomatoes can be slow to ripen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help to speed things up. If you’re tired of your tomatoes not ripening on the vine, then try these easy hacks to turn green tomatoes red in no time.
If you want to learn how to grow your food vertically, then my book Vertical Vegetables is just what you need. It will teach you all you need to know, plus you’ll get plans for building almost two dozen projects. Order your copy today!
More Vegetable Gardening Posts
- How To Pollinate Squash By Hand For Maximum Production
- How To Grow Blueberries In Pots Or The Garden
- How & When To Plant Garlic In Your Garden
- How To Grow Garlic In Your Garden
More About Tomatoes
- How To Tell Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes
- How To Grow Tomatoes In Pots
- Sun Dried Cherry Tomatoes: An Easy Homemade Recipe
Share your tomato ripening tips in the comments section below.
Patricia White says
Thank you I have tomatoes that won’t ripen and was wondering what to do. It has been extremely hot lately and my plants have grown like weeds. I will try pruning them back and cutting off some of the tops. The plants are beautifully green.
Thanks for the info.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome. Good luck, and I hope your tomatoes will ripen up quickly. Enjoy!
MR ALLEN MULLEN says
Thanks for your help.it has been very hot here in England and has been over 85 degrees.
Regards Allen
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Ava says
How to turn them red when it’s very hot.
It’s 91* here today, and I have had full green tomatoes for a week . How can I get these to turn?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Unfortunately when it’s that hot, you’ll have to wait until it cools down before your tomatoes will ripen on the vine. However, you could try bringing some of the biggest ones inside and ripening them on the counter.
Kristin says
Came across your page from a google search. Lo and behold, I also live in minneapolis (well… richfield). I’m so excited to follow your page. From a first time gardener, thanks for the helpful tips!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, great to see a fellow Minnesotan learning how to garden. Love it, and glad to hear I’ve helped you out. 🙂
Denice Murphy says
I too live in zone 9b central Florida. This is my first time ever growing tomatoes. Following the seed packet instructions I began planting in early May and seedlings started in April on patio. All are beefsteak tomatoes. My 3 pots of tomatoes all have fruit but none are ripe. The one pot has basil and rosemary in the pot and has the most fruit. I didn’t know to plant tomatoes in Feb instead of April and may. Someone mentioned to tie whole banana next to fruit to ripen. Or to pick fruit and place in paper bag with the banana. I was thinking if I could shade the plants from the hot afternoon sun will this work to help ripen the fruit? I am a novice to gardening and need some advice.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, growing tomatoes in warm climates is a whole different experience than it is in colder climates. It’s too bad the seed packet instructions didn’t have details for when to plant them in warmer climates like yours. Unfortunately, since I’m guessing it’s very hot in FL right now, that is probably why your tomatoes aren’t turning red on the plant. You certainly could try harvesting the big ones, and then ripening them on the counter (and yes, putting them in a bag with a banana will help them ripen faster). I don’t think hanging a banana near the plant would do anything but attract fruit flies though. You certainly could try shading them from the hot afternoon sun, and that might help. You could also try pruning them to see if that helps. Other than that, you may just have to wait until the weather cools down.
Denice Murphy says
Thank you for responding. Yes it’s in the weather here is in the 90’s. But we are having the summer rains now and it’s been a little cooler. We also put up our patio umbrella over the tomatoes a few hours each day which cools off the plants. I did pick the largest tomatoes and placed on my counter and put 2 in paper bag with an apple since we do not eat bananas. Will see which method ripens them first! Will let you know what happens.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, good luck! Yes, please let me know how it works out for you. 🙂
Barbara Mees says
I live in Texas and i have been growing Roma tomatoes. They stop producing in late August. But i left them alone i did keep watering.so in Oct just befoe first freeze i noticed about 50.large green tomato. I picked them covered the plants from the freeze . The picked fruit some turned red but green on inside. Here it is January and i have move tomatoes. What should i do .
Amy Andrychowicz says
If it’s warm enough, leave the green tomatoes on the plant until they turn red. If you pick them when they’re too small, they won’t ripen once you remove them from the plant (or in your case, won’t ripen all the way through).
April Redbird says
This year I really thought was going to be my year for great tomatoes, I had 5 different kinds, early girl, Siberian, Oregon spring, a yellow grape, and a sweetie cherry tomato. I started them inside, used a grow mix that had some kind of accelerant to get some quick growth, and from then on used only organic methods for growth, I gave them a regular mixture of egg shells for calcium, ripe banana peels both cut up and soaked in water for a few days for potassium and phosphorous, and finally a coffee grounds for nitrogen and once in awhile fish emulsion. My plants which went into pots were transplanted three times from eggshell into small pots then medium and then big. All the plants thrived despite weather in the nineties from late June through Labor Day and almost no rain, which might explain why they aren’t ripening. It’s October 10 we have a 28 degree evening coming up. I’m going to try pruning and cutting off flowers, most of my tomatoes are green and I’ve only had about 10 ripe tomatoes since I began and several of those are cherry and grape. I have thirteen plants! My concern is this should I just give up growing tomatoes. This is the third year in a row that we’ve had high heat for very long periods and drought. I babies these plants all summer even putting them in partial shade from July to mid September.
Amy Andrychowicz says
The most important thing you can do to encourage your tomatoes to turn red throughout the growing season is to prune the plant regularly (How To Prune Tomatoes For Maximum Production). I would also test the soil to make sure that the DIY fertilizers you’re using aren’t causing a nutrient deficiency. Too much nitrogen will create vigorous and healthy plants, but that can cause poor or inconsistent fruit production. Acidic soil can also cause problems with tomatoes.
Mark F says
My 2 cents is you likely used far too much nitrogen. Tomatoes only need N in the early season to establish roots. Never use slow release N, unless organic and very little. Typically all tomatoes need after 6-7 weeks in ground or planters is Calcium, heavy calcium supplemented with Magnesium and Potassium. Banana peels in your watering can, with quality Epsom salt is a good way to stay organic. If in planters, small shots of N every 4 weeks is plenty and stop all N by mid late June in the zones 4 and up. There are some really good Cal/Mag supplement fertilizers out there. Try and look for Calcium phosphate or Cal nitrate. Calcium Chloride is what most tomato “bottom rot” mixes are made with. Cal chloride is very cheaply made, and damages cell walls and leaches nutrients from the soil.
I got in trouble last season using a “planter mix soil” that “fed for 6 months” and the “slow release Nitrogen” caused my tomatoes to grow huge, they looked healthy however all my tomatoes barely produced any fruit. Hope this year works better for the both of us. Cheers
Maureen says
i live in Scotland & our weather is always on the cool side even in summer. I planted my tomatoes seeds in early April. It’s the 1st Sept & all my tomato fruit is green. – what are the chances of then ever turning red now.
Should I now top them & cut off all the yellow trusses & small fruits??
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, exactly. Pruning them is the key to getting your tomatoes to turn red this late in the season, and before frost comes. Follow all the steps in the post above, and give them a hard pruning.
Jazzy Kathy ? says
I planted my tomatoes on mother day and it’s now late August and my tomats are still green! Most of the fruit is dark green on top and almost white at the bottom. I’m new to this whole “plant mom” thing so do tomatoes usually take this long?! Thanks getbusygardening.com
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would expect that your tomatoes would have started turning red by now. The best you can do this late in the season is to follow the instructions in the post above to try to get them to ripen on the vine before frost comes. Pruning them is going to be key. Good luck!
Janet says
Hi, I have a patio tomato plant, the tomatoes were developing just fine, I have 8 nice tomatoes but they are not turning orange ripening. We’ve had many 90 degree days. What can I do, don’t want to over water. They always seem dry. I will prune like you said but how much water should they have?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Tomato plants need a lot of water to produce all that yummy fruit. Always water them consistently, and never allow the soil to dry completely, or it could cause problems like cracking or blossom end rot. During the hottest months, it’t not uncommon to have to water them 2-3 times per day when they’re in pots. That’s why I installed a drip irrigation system for mine. Makes it SO easy to keep it consistent.
Ronnie Black says
I have 6 plants of several types of tomatoes in 5 gallon, felt pots. I love these, but they require lots of attention. Before the July temps hit us, I had harvested about 40 pounds off 5 or 6 plants. My early girl tomatoes are one of the slowest to ripen for me this year. I am also growing better bush, rutgers, parks whopper, patio, and yellow jubilee, I think thats the name. Now that the temps have hit the 90s. I have around 50 or more pounds of green fruit. I’ve done some pruning and feed them regularly to get these results ..The heat has stopped them in their tracks. I wish there was a way to speed things up, but I guess not. My Parks Whopper has fruit at the 9 foot mark and isn’t slowing down and I am having a hard time supporting it. Could I cut the top off and it survive? Its producing big fruit but has gotten too big. THey seem to love this 321 fertilizer ..I also feed them lots of micronutrients for root care. I know my plants are very healthy but wish they would ripen faster, but fear there is nothing I can do
Ronnie Black says
PS, My water source is 22 PPM and 5.5-6.0 PH naturally..
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wow, sounds like a wonderful collection of tomato plants, YUM! Yes, wouldn’t it be great if we could control the hot weather so our tomatoes would ripen more consistently!? You certainly can cut off the top of your plant to maintain the size. Proper pruning will definitely help them ripen faster (well, once the heat wave is over anyway!). Here’s a detailed guide for how to prune tomatoes for more details.
lynn King says
Here’s a trick I learned over many yrs. of very Hot Temps. When they are ready but still green. Take a un-peeled banana and tie it close to your most mature tomatoes use a stake to do so, not on the vine, can cause the vine to snap.( may be tied on a wire tomato cage near fruit) .In a few days you should see color changing. Also you can pull off no more then two tomatoes off the vine, and place them in a Paper Bag w/ a banana. Never use just a banana skin, it will draw unwanted insects. Tomatoes ripen by giving off Ethylene Gas. Bananas also giving off this Ethylene Gas that helps the tomatoes speed the ripening process. Good Luck.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wow, I’ve never heard of tying a banana near the actual plant before, that’s a neat trick. I put them into a paper bag with bananas every fall to ripen them inside, but I’ve never tried this trick with green tomatoes on the vine. Thanks for sharing!
Becky says
My tommy toe tomatoes have been mature size for a while now and are still green. I pruned the bush to try and help with no luck. I have better boys planted in the container with them. They are coming out as well. Not a great deal but some. Could the fact I have two varieties in such close quarters make ripening slower?
Amy Andrychowicz says
The close proximity of your tomato plants won’t keep them from ripening, but it may impact yield. If you live somewhere that’s in a heatwave right now, then it’s most likely just too hot for your tomatoes to ripen. Give it time. 🙂
Ronnie Black says
Yep, heat is a huge factor with tomatoes getting ripe. The hotter it gets, the slower they ripen. With the changes in our climate and my age, I can see a clear pattern. I remember when it wasn’t anywhere near this warm and my and everyone elses plants were producing big red fruit ..As the temps got warmer. Ive seen them get slower and slower, almost stop
Susan says
Why do my tomato blossoms dry up & never develop into tomatoes?
Amy Andrychowicz says
That happens when the flowers don’t get pollinated. You can either put bee friendly flowers around your tomatoes to help attract pollinators, or pollinate them yourself using your finger or a paint brush.
Carol Ketchum says
I live in central Florida and most of my tomatoes are big but not turning red? And it end May and all tomatoes still green? Probably cause it been in 90’s and probably to hot cause when I lived up north everything grows great? But in rotten Fl I growing in containers cause if I grow in grown then snakes love to live in between plants and petrified of poisonous or any kind snakes so grow in containers quakes and baby eggplant growing great but tomatoes still green? If I put few in brown paper bag with whole banana in cold dark place will they ripen?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, I think you’re right. My guess is that it’s too hot for your tomatoes to ripen on the vine right now. I would still try the things I listed in the post to see if any of them will help to trigger ripening. Otherwise, there’s not much you can do when it’s super hot outside. I would try starting your tomatoes earlier next year, or plant them in the summer for a fall harvest. Gardening in FL is much, much different than it is in the north, that’s for sure!
And yes, I would definitely try putting some of the large green tomatoes into a paper bag to see if they will ripen indoors. That might just do the trick. Good luck!
Gina says
Impressive tomato turn out! My goodness! I wish I had read this a few weeks ago. We have tomato plants running every which way and on the ground. Not to say we necessarily NEED more tomatoes but who doesn’t enjoy an astonishing crop like the one you have?
Good work ?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thank you! We make a lot of salsa, and last year I canned tomato sauce and whole tomatoes. So all of those yummy ripe red tomatoes will go to good use for sure! They taste so darn good during those long, cold winter months!
DIANE T BASS says
This is my first attempt at growing tomatoes. It’s Oct. 3, and my Big Boy tomatoes are still green. Temperatures have been in the 90’s most of the summer but will be cooler starting next week. Is it too late for me to see red?
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, it’s not too late for your tomatoes to ripen. They won’t turn red when it’s too hot, so that may be why they’ve been so slow for you this summer. I would do all of the things I listed above (my 5 tricks), and then give it time. I think now that the temps have cooled down for you, your beautiful tomatoes will finally start turning red! 🙂 Good luck!