Transplanting tomato plants is a common gardening practice that allows you to grow stronger, healthier plants. However, it’s not uncommon for tomato plants to experience stunted growth or even stop growing altogether after being transplanted. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top reasons why tomato plants may not be growing after transplant and provide tips to get them thriving again.
What Causes Tomato Plants To Stop Growing After Transplant?
There are a few key factors that can cause tomato plants to struggle after being moved from one location to another:
Transplant Shock
This is perhaps the most common reason for tomato transplant issues. Being dug up and moved to a new location is traumatic for the plant. Transplant shock can manifest in wilting yellowing leaves, poor growth and even plant death. It’s the plant’s way of going into survival mode while it adjusts to its new home. Transplant shock can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Improper Transplanting Method
How you transplant the tomato plant can also lead to reduced growth Tomato roots are sensitive, so you must be gentle when uprooting the plant and ensure the root ball remains intact Damaging the roots during transplant makes it difficult for the plant to absorb water and nutrients in its new location. Improper planting depth could also stress the roots.
Environmental Changes
Any differences between the old environment and the new one can stress the plant after transplanting. For example, changes in sun exposure, soil quality, and temperature could inhibit growth. Ensure the tomato’s new home mimics its previous growing conditions as much as possible.
Root Disturbance
If the tomato plant was root bound in its original container, separating and untangling the roots before planting disturbs the root system. The fine root hairs may get damaged, making it difficult for the plant to take up water and nutrients. Avoid rough handling of bound roots.
Diseases & Pests
Transplant stress makes the tomato more vulnerable to pest attacks and diseases. Common tomato troubles like blossom end rot fungal issues and hornworms can gain a foothold as the plant recovers. Inspect for signs of disease and treat accordingly. Check undersides of leaves for insects.
Overgrown Seedlings
Letting seedlings get too large before transplanting means more transplant shock. Aim to move tomatoes within 5-7 weeks after germination when they have their first true leaves. Trying to transplant an overgrown tomato with a thick stem and large root ball will be more difficult.
Tips To Get Tomato Plants Growing After Transplant
If your tomato plants are struggling post-transplant, here are some tips to help them bounce back:
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Shield from sun – Use shade cloth, row cover fabric, cardboard, or other material to protect transplants from intense sun and heat which can exacerbate transplant shock. Provide shade for 1-2 weeks.
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Use transplant fertilizer – Apply a starter fertilizer or one formulated specifically for transplants to give roots an extra nutrient boost right after planting. This aids recovery.
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Water thoroughly – Ensure transplants get 1-2 inches of water per week, avoiding water stress. Aim for deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep roots.
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Allow time to establish – Be patient. It takes 1-4 weeks for transplants to get over shock. Avoid overhandling the plant while it establishes.
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Monitor for disease/pests – Inspect transplants daily and take action at first signs of disease or bugs to avoid weakened plants. Be diligent about prevention.
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Plant deeply – Set transplants deeper than they were originally growing, burying much of the stem. This allows roots to form along the buried stem.
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Use biostimulants – Apply natural biostimulants like seaweed extract right after transplant to reduce stress and improve root growth.
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Loosen roots – If root bound, very gently loosen circled roots before planting. Be careful not to damage delicate root hairs in doing so.
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Maintain ideal conditions – Ensure transplants get 6-8 hours of sun, daytime temps of 65-85 F, and are protected from wind which can worsen wilting.
When To Worry About Lack Of Tomato Growth
Giving tomato transplants adequate time to recover before worrying is key. However, if weeks have passed with no new growth, it may be time to troubleshoot further:
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No new leaf growth 2-3 weeks after transplant could indicate transplant shock was too severe
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If lower leaves continue yellowing with no new growth, root problems like disease may be present
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Lack of flowering within 6 weeks of transplant may mean an environmental factor like low temperatures is inhibiting growth
-Continued pest attacks or disease issues will also cause chronically poor growth
-No fruit production or continually wilted, spotty foliage indicates roots are not functioning properly
If lack of tomato growth persists after addressing common transplant shock factors, soil tests, disease diagnosis, and inspection of roots may be in order to get to the bottom of the problem.
When To Start Over With A New Transplant
While patience is key, sometimes tomato transplants never fully recover from the trauma of being moved. Signs it may be time to replace it with a new, healthy transplant include:
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No new growth and progressive lower leaf drop 4+ weeks after transplant
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Major transplanting damage like split main stem or totally broken root ball
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Disease that quickly overcomes the transplant before it can establish
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Discovery of extensive root damage from insects or prior root rot issues
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Yellow, stunted growth even after correcting environmental factors
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Discovery that poor soil conditions like high pH are inhibiting growth but can’t be corrected easily
Use your best judgment based on the health of the existing plant. Starting over with a fresh transplant gives you the best chance at still producing tomatoes in that growing season.
Key Takeaways On Tomato Transplant Growth Issues
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Allow 1-4 weeks for transplants to overcome shock and resume normal growth patterns.
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Make transplanting as easy on the plant as possible by avoiding root damage, maintaining proper soil depth, and keeping environmental changes minimal.
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Prevent pests and disease which can gain a foothold while plants are vulnerable from transplant stress.
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Address lack of growth issues promptly through shade, extra water and fertilizer to prevent ongoing decline.
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Know when to be patient and when it’s time to replace a transplant that can’t bounce back from the transition.
With proper care after transplanting and a little patience, you can get your tomato plants back up and growing quickly! Follow these tips to successfully grow strong productive tomato plants even after the inevitable transplant shock.
Blossom End Rot
What it looks like: The tomato plants appear healthy, but as the tomatoes ripen, an ugly black patch appears on the bottoms. The black spots on tomatoes look leathery. When you try to cut off the patch to eat the tomato, the fruit inside looks mealy.
What causes it: Your plants aren’t getting enough calcium. There’s either not enough calcium in the soil, or the pH is too low for the plant to absorb the calcium available. Tomatoes need a soil pH around 6.5 in order to grow properly. This soil pH level also makes it possible for them to absorb calcium. Uneven watering habits also contribute to this problem. Hot, dry spells tend to exacerbate blossom end rot.
What to do about it: Before planting tomatoes in the spring, have your local garden center or Cooperative Extension conduct a soil test. Tell them you’ve had problems with blossom end rot in the past, and they will give you recommendations on the amendments to add to your soil. Lime and gypsum may be added for calcium, but they must be added in the proper amounts depending on your soil’s condition. That’s why a soil test is necessary.
Adding crushed eggshells to your compost pile can also boost calcium naturally when you add compost to the soil. A foliar spray containing calcium chloride can prevent blossom end rot from developing on tomatoes mid-season. Apply it early in the morning or late in the day — if sprayed onto leaves midday, it can burn them. Water plants regularly at the same time daily to ensure even application of water.
What it looks like: Flowers appear on your tomato plants, but they fall off without tomatoes developing.
What causes it: Temperature fluctuations cause blossom drop. Tomatoes need night temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees F in order to retain their flowers. If the temperatures fall outside this range, blossom drop occurs. Other reasons for blossom drop on tomatoes are insect damage, lack of water, too much or too little nitrogen, and lack of pollination.
What to do about it: While you can’t change the weather, you can make sure the rest of the plant is strong by using fertilizer for tomatoes, drawing pollinators by planting milkweed and cosmos, and using neem oil insecticides.
What they look like: Cracks appear on ripe tomatoes, usually in concentric circles. Sometimes insects use the cracks as an opportunity to eat the fruit, or birds attack cracked fruit. Fruit cracks on a tomato.
What causes them: Hot, rainy weather causes fruit crack. After a long dry spell, tomatoes are thirsty. Plants may take up water rapidly after the first heavy rainfall, which swells the fruit and causes it to crack.
What to do about them: Although you can’t control the rain, you can water tomatoes evenly during the growing season. This prevents them from being so thirsty that they take up too much rainwater during a heavy downpour.
What it looks like: The plants look healthy, and the fruit develops normally. As tomatoes ripen, yellow patches form on the red skin. Yellow patches turn white and paper-thin, creating an unpleasant appearance and poor taste.
What causes it: As the name implies, the sun’s rays have actually scalded the tomato.
What to do about it: Tomato cages, or a wire support system that surrounds the plants, give the best branch support while shading the developing tomatoes naturally. Sunscald usually occurs on staked plants that have been too-vigorously pruned, exposing many of the tomatoes to the sun’s rays. Leaving some foliage and branches provides shade during the hottest part of the day.
If you’re growing tomatoes you most likely encountered one or more of these common plant problems. We explain how to identify and fix them.
Here at Farmers’ Almanac, we get a lot of gardening questions. What tops the list are questions about tomato plants and how to fix certain tomato plant problems. We checked in with Safer® Brand organic gardening solutions and received some great advice from their organic gardening article archives. Take a look:
If you’re one of the three million people who planted a home garden this year, you’re most likely growing tomatoes. Nine out of 10 gardeners grow tomatoes, and that number would be 10 out of 10 if the holdouts would taste a fresh garden tomato and compare it to a grocery store purchase. Nothing beats the taste of a fresh home-grown tomato!
Many gardeners who grow tomatoes, however, encounter growing problems. This list of common tomato plant problems and their solutions will help you identify an issue—whether it’s just starting or already full-blown — and show you how to correct it, so you can save your tomato plants and harvest yummy tomatoes this year.
7 Solutions For Stunted Seedlings
FAQ
Why are my tomatoes not doing well after transplant?
Ensure you are watering deeply and regularly. Transplant Shock: When tomatoes are moved from one environment to another, they can experience transplant shock. This can lead to wilting and drying out as they adjust. To mitigate this, water them well after transplanting and provide shade for a few days to reduce stress.
How long does it take for tomatoes to grow after transplant?
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.comTomato Plant Growth Timeline: 7 Stages (With Pictures) – The SpruceApr 16, 2025 — Different cultivars may take anywhere from 60 to 100 days to harvest after transplanting the seedlings into the garden. … Generally, it takes from…
Why are my tomato plants taking so long to grow?
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Temperature:Tomatoes need warm temperatures, ideally between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Chilly temperatures, especially in the 50s and cooler, can significantly slow growth.
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Sunlight:Tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If they’re in a shaded area, flowering and fruit production might be delayed or reduced.
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Watering:Overwatering or underwatering can both hinder growth. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not soggy.
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Soil:Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Compacted soil can also restrict root growth.
How to help tomatoes recover from transplant shock?
Be sure to place your seedlings in a shaded spot, or cover them with fleece. Moving the plants out on a dull, cloudy day will also help to reduce their shock.
Can a tomato plant be transplanted too early?
Transplanting the plants too early or too late can increase the risk of transplant shock. Transplant the plants properly. When transplanting tomato plants, it is important to: Dig a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Gently loosen the roots of the plant before transplanting.
Are transplanted tomatoes growing well?
Some of the transplanted tomato plants are doing well and starting to bear tomatoes. However, there are two plants that appear healthy (with green leaves) but are not adding any new growth. No new leaves or flowers and they remain the same height as when they were planted.
Do tomato plants wilt after transplanting?
Tomato is one of the favorites of many gardeners because it is easy to grow, has a short fruiting time, and makes a great addition to many family meals. During the process of growing and caring for tomato plants, one of the problems many gardeners face is the condition of tomato plants wilting after transplanting.
Why are tomato seeds weak after transplanting?
So, when you plant tomato seeds indoors or in a sheltered environment from the sun and wind, the tomato plants are used to the protected environment, so the tomato stems may become weak and unable to withstand the heat and the external environment after transplanting.
What happens if a tomato plant is transplanted?
Transplant shock. When a tomato plant is transplanted, it is suddenly exposed to a new environment with different conditions than the nursery. This can cause the plant to go into shock, which can lead to wilting. Overwatering. Tomato plants need a lot of water, but they can also be susceptible to overwatering.
Can Tomato plants recover from transplant shock and wilting?
The good news is that tomato plants can recover from transplant shock and wilting if you take the right steps. Here are some tips to help your tomato plants recover: 1. Water the Plants: The quickest fix for wilting tomato plants is to water them.