How To Identify, Control, Treat, or Troubleshoot Tomato Plant Problems

Erica Groneman + photo

Erica Groneman

Jun 28
3 min read
bubble 9
tomatoes on the vine with blossom end rot

Your garden is probably in full swing and you’re starting to enjoy the fruits of your labors. How are your tomato plants doing? You may be seeing abnormal signs in your tomato plant indicating something’s not quite right. Let’s see if we can troubleshoot a few common issues with tomatoes.

Black Bottomed Tomatoes - Blossom End Rot

This is called blossom end rot and is relatively common for tomatoes. It’s caused by a calcium imbalance in the plant. Avoid this problem by maintaining consistent water to your tomato plant (not too much or too little water). To treat the black bottom problem and end the season with some good harvest, pick off the affected fruit (otherwise they’ll just take needed nutrients from the plant and future fruit) and stick to a consistent watering plan. By doing these two things your tomato plant will most likely correct itself. Also, note that you can still eat tomatoes with blossom end rot–just cut off the black part.

Spotted Tomato Leaves

If your tomato plant develops spots on the leaves, this is a sign of disease. Usually, these diseases start on the leaves closest to the ground. Remove leaves that have the disease (you can remove up to a third of a tomato plant’s leaves without harming the plant). To prevent disease, water the soil under the plant and not the leaves. Use mulch to cover the base of your tomato plant. Also, try not to plant your tomato plant in the same place in your garden every year. Note: Don’t can or eat fruit that has been infected by disease and have spots.

Big Bushy Green Foliage Growth And Few Blossoms And Tomatoes

If you have a big green bushy tomato plant with just a few flowers, first check to see what variety of tomato you have, and the estimated days to maturity. Some tomato plants simply take longer to develop blossoms and fruit. Another likely cause is too much fertilizer or too much nitrogen in the fertilizer. Check the NPK of the fertilizer you applied. The first number (nitrogen) should not be higher than the other two numbers; otherwise, you are telling your plant to grow leaves and not fruit. If you have been using a balanced fertilizer, your plant could be over-fertilized, so wait to fertilize until fruit appears and is growing. Be sure to give your tomato plant consistent water, as an inconsistent watering schedule could also be the cause of lots of leaves and not blossoms.

Whole Stems and Branches Missing From Your Tomato Plant - Tomato Hornworm

If you come out one day and notice a whole stem or section of your tomato plant is missing, a Tomato Hornworm is most likely the culprit. Tomato hornworms are giant green caterpillars with a horn on their tail. They are capable of eating leaves, entire stems, and fruit of tomato plants. They can be devastating if not found. Tomato hornworms are excellent at camouflage and can be difficult to find. Manually removing them is the only real remedy to save your tomato plant.

Drooping/Wilting Tomato Plant

If your tomato plant is drooping or sagging, this is most likely caused by a lack of water. As we’ve said previously, consistent watering is important to tomato plants. Tomatoes also don’t stand up if they are not getting enough sunlight, so make sure your tomatoes are planted in a sunny spot that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

For more detailed information on how to grow and harvest tomatoes check-out our Free Downloadable Vegetable Growing Guide PDF.

Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

9 comments

Paulie

This was so helpful to me, a newbie at gardening at 73!


Stef McCabe

Thsnk you for info; an issuevi have this year is leaves curling, and, yes, when i brought the plant home; i read it was a virus and to get rid of the plsnt; i didnt; its bearing fruit, but not up to par. Thoughts?


Ida McCarty

Thanks for the information. I was getting tomato rot, and I solved the issue by putting broken eggshells in the soil and mixing it in thoroughly.


Monique Gonzalez

Question: one of my plants developed tomato flowers on a leaf is this an indication of a problem?


Elyse marino

Hi! I didn’t know I shouldn’t eat tomatoes that had black spot on leaves…I have always done that…


Deb

My tomato plants are still less than 2 feet high with no fruit yet :( Zone 9, lots of sun, enough water, great drainage, hot weather…. three different varieties. I am so perplexed!


PAUL VAN WAMBEKE

A little long-winded explanation, tomatoes the most Gardened revered fruit or veg. around the world. Do any of you remember what a Tomato use to taste Like? I live in Platania, Crete a portion of the year and have watched the destruction of the Tomato (That New white core that has to be cut out) they have introduced the Roma with little results they lack taste. I usual plant in May with Plant purchased from a Nursery west of use ( I start with a Six pack) with fresh soil mixed with compost from the field cow mainour. I make my trellis’s from river bamboo laced with twin. I dust with copper sulfate green powder/My growth is Off the wall/ tomato’s being harvested by the first of Aug / alone with the Basil and Zucchini “Black” a seed product from the US. along with Mustard green something not seen in Crete one of my favorites.! I also plant in the Family field around the Platania River spinach. What I’m seeing around the world where tourism has been proliferated is the destruction of the Family Garden fields in my area alone, I’m one of the Last. my neighbor across the street still makes his Mizithra cheese each morning from Cows milk, but he no longer has a garden. he still tends to his grapes and olives. our Family still a Garden only tended by the father the usual goats/chicken and rabbits they serve in their restaurant. I still have access to the family harvested Olive oil and wine and Home cured Calamata olives. NEWS to all the unread ( The Sahara dust that distributes pyogenic debris) around the world is some of our problems with the ever-expanding Saharra. And the other invisible anomalies Chornobyl Radiation. fallout. seasonal wind distribution exacerbated by the failed sarcophagus and fire .


Donna Mattingly

bloosems few if any tomatoes


Benjamin Deguzman

I bought 5 pockets of bitter gourd hybrid seeds last fall from your company but not even one germinated.


  1. Lara's 2024 Garden in Reviewgardener holding a carrot in a glove and a tomato plant with green fruits

    Lara's 2024 Garden in Review

    Written By Lara Wadsworth This year was only my third year having a garden to myself. Growing up, I gardened alongside my mother and grandmother, but after leaving home, I lived in apartments for many years without much space for a garden. I finally go...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-12-03
    13 min read
    bubble 0
  2. Cultivating Christmas TraditionsChristmas gifts, pine sprigs, and ornaments on dark background

    Cultivating Christmas Traditions

    Written By Lara Wadsworth The phrase “Christmas time is here!” will soon echo through your speakers and messaging all around. Most American families, regardless of religion, seem to be celebrating this massive holiday in one way or another. Some may fo...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-26
    8 min read
    bubble 0
  3. Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Actiongiving tuesday header and person handing off a box of greens

    Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Action

    There are a million ways to make the world better. But nothing can happen without action. The best way to make a difference is to start serving, donating, and seeing the people who are within your reach. Big, honorable stories often begin with someone ...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-19
    3 min read
    bubble 1
  4. Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of ThanksgivingThanksgiving Day Spread

    Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of Thanksgiving

    Written By Lara Wadsworth One of the most quintessential American holidays is Thanksgiving. With families gathered together, sharing copious amounts of food, and many groups watching either football or televised parades, it is hard to see the true orig...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-11-15
    8 min read
    bubble 1