Can You Grow Thriving Tomato Plants In Old Mason Jars? Here's What You Should Know

If you are a beginner vegetable gardener, you might be interested in growing tomato plants to use in delicious garden-to-table dishes. You have a wide range of options when it comes to where to grow this vegetable. There is a chance that you have even come across suggestions to plant your tomato seeds in old Mason jars, but this might not be the best choice if you are looking to grow healthy plants. Peg Aloi, House Digest's professional gardener, and owner of Albion Gardens, revealed why these jars should not be used to grow tomato plants. "The two main disadvantages of using glass Mason jars are that they're too small for a mature tomato plant's root system, and also they have no drainage, which is important for growing any plant," Aloi shared while speaking exclusively to House Digest.

Although this might seem like a great way to reuse an old Mason jar, you will need to opt for larger containers with adequate drainage to grow your tomato plants. This will ensure that the vegetable has enough room for its roots to thrive. By following these proper growing techniques, you can produce healthy, delicious tomatoes in no time. As for those old Mason jars scattered around your house, consider using them in other ways to level up your gardening game instead.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Peg Aloi shared more about her own experience growing tomato plants and why they just are not compatible with Mason jars: "In my experience working on client's vegetable gardens, tomato plants need a large amount of root space." She went on to reveal better options for containers to use for your tomato plants. "If growing in containers, the rule of thumb seems to be that a container roughly the size of a 10-gallon bucket is ideal," the expert explained. "These buckets (like the ones that you get at the hardware store for mixing paint, etc.) can be upcycled and used if drainage holes are made."

If you have an old paint bucket in your garage, this is a great way to put it to use. Otherwise, you may purchase one from your local hardware store or use any other container that is a similar size. Just make sure that there are enough drainage holes for your tomato plants. If you plan to use a bucket, you can easily create holes throughout the bottom of it using a drill. There is no need to fear this gardening method because tomatoes are one of the many plants that are best grown in a bucket.

Even though tomato plants should not be grown in Mason jars, you can still use the glass vessels as part of the planting process. "I think you could use them to get tomato seedlings started, using a layer of pebbles for drainage in the bottom and some loose, well-drained potting mix," Peg Aloi explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "Once the seedlings are at least 6 inches tall and the last frost date has passed, they should be transplanted into the garden or into a suitable container." After you transfer them out of their jar, make sure to support your tomato plants with bamboo stakes, a vertical trellis, or a standard tomato cage.

Tomato seedlings aside, Aloi revealed that if you still want to use a Mason jar as a planter, try growing small succulents. Just keep in mind that you would need to include a way for water to drain away from the succulent, just as with the tomato seedlings. Aloi recommends doing this by adding small pebbles to the bottom of the jar. After taking this precaution and watering minimally, you should be able to grow a healthy succulent right in the glass.