Organic 'Hundreds and Thousands' tomato
Organic 'Hundreds and Thousands' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, an ultra-productive miniature cherry that literally overflows with fruit
The 'Hundreds and Thousands' tomato lives up to its name: this heirloom variety produces an avalanche of small, red cherry tomatoes, making it one of the most prolific varieties in the world. Indeterminate but naturally trailing and compact , it forms a cascade of clusters of 15 mm diameter fruit, perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, windowsills, and raised garden beds.
Unlike most indeterminate tomatoes, it requires neither staking nor pinching of suckers , making it extremely easy to grow. Its sweet and delicious fruits can be picked like candy throughout the season—and while it doesn't literally produce thousands of tomatoes, it certainly produces hundreds , relentlessly.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/growth : Indeterminate, drooping, very productive
Plant height : 30 to 60 cm (trailing rather than vertical)
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Exceptional yield, ideal for hanging pots, maintenance-free growth
Fruit color : Bright red
Fruit shape : Round cherry
Fruit size/weight : Very small (15 mm)
Fruit type : Miniature cherry (micro-cherry)
Texture/flesh : Juicy, soft, light
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Sow seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in light potting soil and maintain a temperature of 23–29°C until germination (5–10 days). During the hardening-off period, reduce watering and nitrogen application to encourage compact seedlings.
Transplant when all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36") apart in the ground, or plant one per pot for containers and hanging baskets. Provide full sun (level 3) and regular watering (level 3). No staking or pinching is necessary: let it cascade naturally.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the small cherries are a bright red. To get an early harvest, pick those that are showing their first signs of color , then let them finish ripening off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store between 12 and 21°C at 95% relative humidity to maintain their freshness.
Usage ideas
• Perfect for hanging baskets and decorative pots
• Excellent as a snack , picked straight from the plant
• Ideal for children , who love to collect it
• Delicious in salads , pizzas, platters or fresh salsas
The 'Hundreds and Thousands' tomato is a true productivity powerhouse: simple, cheerful, bursting with fruit, and perfect for small spaces. An essential heirloom variety for a fun, bountiful, and effortless vegetable garden.
