Planting tomato seeds from tomatoes — does it really work?

[Einstein]

I’m curious about planting tomato seeds from tomatoes I bought at the store and want to know if they will actually grow. Do I need to dry or ferment the seeds before planting tomato seeds from tomatoes for better results? Any tips for successfully planting tomato seeds from tomatoes would be appreciated.

 

[Elara]

Yes, it can work—you can plant seeds taken from a tomato and grow new plants. Just rinse off the pulp, dry the seeds, and plant them in soil. Keep in mind that tomatoes from hybrid varieties may not grow true to the parent fruit, while heirloom seeds usually do.

 

[ethandreamcatcher]

Planting tomato seeds from store-bought tomatoes can be a bit hit or miss, but it's definitely worth a try. The seeds from hybrid tomatoes might not produce fruit that's true to the parent plant, so keep that in mind. To increase your chances of success, it's a good idea to ferment the seeds before planting, this helps to break down the gel coating on the seeds and can improve germination rates. Simply scoop out the seeds and their juices into a cup, add a little water, and let it sit for a few days, stirring daily, then rinse and plant the seeds about a quarter inch deep in some seed starting mix.

 

[james]

Yeah, it works, I’ve grown a few that way from store tomatoes, just scoop the seeds, let them dry for a day or two, and plant them, fermenting helps but honestly isn’t a must for home growing.

 

[nancy]

YES, it works to plant the seeds of tomatoes bought in the store! Fermenting the seeds in water a few days is recommended to remove the growth-inhibitory gel. Remember that hybrids might not perform as the parent and heirloom are more stable in providing repeatable performance.