Sweet 100 is the cherry tomato that just keeps giving. Its name hints at the long clusters that can hold a hundred or more fruit over a season. This guide covers its flavor, growing needs, common problems, and key facts before planting.
Sweet 100 Tomato Quick Facts
| Type | Hybrid (F1) |
|---|---|
| Growth Habit | Indeterminate |
| Days to Maturity | 65 days |
| Fruit Size | Small cherry, about 0.5 oz |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Shape | Round cherry |
| Flavor | Very sweet, bright, tangy |
| Best Uses | Snacking, salads |
| Plant Height | 6 to 12 feet |
| Spacing | 24 to 36 inches |
| Support | Tall, strong cage |
| Sun | Full sun, 6 to 8 hours |
| Container Friendly | Yes, large pot |
| Disease Resistance | Low to moderate |
| Origin | United States |
What Is a Sweet 100 Tomato?
Sweet 100 is a hybrid cherry tomato bred for sweetness and very heavy yields. The fruit grows in long, branching clusters that can hold a hundred or more tomatoes. The plant is indeterminate and can climb well over six feet. Because it is an F1 hybrid, its seeds will not grow true, so gardeners buy fresh seed or plants each year.
Sweet 100 Flavor and Best Uses
Sweet 100 has a very sweet taste with a bright, tangy finish. It is the classic red cherry tomato flavor that many people grew up snacking on straight from the vine.
It is best eaten fresh. Pop the tomatoes whole for a snack, toss them into salads, or thread them onto skewers. They also roast well, turning even sweeter.
How to Grow Sweet 100 Tomatoes
Sweet 100 is easy to grow and almost too productive. Follow these basics.
- Sun: give plants 6 to 8 hours of direct sun.
- Spacing: set plants 24 to 36 inches apart.
- Support: use a tall, strong cage, since vines can top 10 feet.
- Water: water deeply and evenly to limit cracking.
- Feeding: feed with a balanced tomato fertilizer once fruit sets.
Common Problems and Disease Resistance
Sweet 100 has only low to moderate disease resistance, and its thin skin brings one main issue.
- Cracking: the thin skin splits from uneven water or over-ripeness. Pick just before fully soft.
- Tall vines: the fast, long vines need regular pruning and tying.
- Bird damage: the sweet fruit attracts birds, so netting helps.
Sweet 100 vs Sungold
These two top cherry tomatoes are often compared. Sweet 100 is red, with a classic sweet and tangy taste and enormous yields. Sungold is golden-orange, with a richer, more tropical sweetness. Many gardeners grow both and mix the colors in a bowl.
When to Harvest Sweet 100 Tomatoes
Pick Sweet 100 when the fruit is fully red and feels firm with a slight give. Harvest often, since ripe fruit cracks and drops quickly. The long clusters ripen from the base outward, so check the whole truss each time. Picking daily keeps the plant producing.
Growing Sweet 100 in Containers
Sweet 100 grows well in a large container of at least 15 gallons with a tall, sturdy cage. The vines grow long, so plan for plenty of vertical space. Keep the soil evenly moist, since pots dry out fast and uneven water causes cracking.
Companion Plants for Sweet 100
Sweet 100 pairs well with basil, which may improve flavor and repel pests. Marigolds deter nematodes and aphids, and borage attracts bees for better pollination. Keep tomatoes away from potatoes, which share diseases. Good companions help manage this vigorous grower.
Sweet 100 Nutrition
Sweet 100 is low in calories and rich in nutrients. A handful gives you vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and lycopene, the antioxidant linked to heart health. Because the tomatoes are sweet and easy to eat raw, they are a simple way to add more vegetables to your day.
Where to Buy Sweet 100 Seeds and Plants
Sweet 100 seeds and plants are sold at most garden centers in spring, since it is a long-time favorite. Because it is an F1 hybrid, buy fresh seed each year rather than saving your own. Young plants are a quick way to start a heavy cherry crop.
Related Tomato Varieties
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Sweet 100 Take to Grow?
About 65 days from transplant.
Is Sweet 100 Determinate or Indeterminate?
It is indeterminate, very tall, and produces until frost, so it needs strong support.
How Many Tomatoes Does a Sweet 100 Plant Produce?
Hundreds. The fruit grows in long branching clusters all season.
What Does Sweet 100 Taste Like?
Very sweet with a bright, tangy finish, the classic red cherry flavor.
Why Do Sweet 100 Tomatoes Crack?
The thin skin splits from uneven water or over-ripeness. Pick often and water evenly.
Can You Grow Sweet 100 in Containers?
Yes, in a large pot with a tall cage, since the vines grow very long.
Shakeel Muzaffar is the founder of TomatoAnswers.com, a gardener, and a content writer. He combines hands-on tomato growing experience with evidence-based research from horticultural and nutrition sources. His work focuses on tomato cultivation, nutrition, and practical gardening advice, helping readers grow healthier plants and make informed food choices