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This Is News to Me! Why You Should Think Twice Before Removing Tomato Suckers

If you’re a home gardener, chances are you’ve been told to pinch off your tomato suckers. These little shoots pop up in the joint between the stem and a branch, and for years, they’ve been labeled as unwanted growths that steal energy from the main plant. But here’s the twist—removing tomato suckers might not always be the best move for your plants. Surprised? You’re not alone.

What Are Tomato Suckers?

Tomato suckers are the small shoots that appear in the “axil” where a branch meets the stem. As the plant grows, these suckers can develop into full-sized branches with leaves, flowers, and fruit of their own.

Gardeners have long been advised to remove them to encourage better airflow and redirect the plant’s energy into producing larger, better-quality fruit on fewer branches. But there’s more to the story.

The Case For Removing Suckers

Let’s be fair: There are valid reasons why gardeners remove suckers, especially on indeterminate tomato varieties, which can grow indefinitely. Pruning suckers can help:

• Improve air circulation around the plant, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like blight.
• Encourage fewer, larger fruits, which is ideal for people who want showcase tomatoes.
• Manage plant size, especially in smaller garden spaces or containers.

But—plot twist—this method isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

The Case Against Removing Suckers

Recent gardening research and anecdotal evidence from veteran growers suggest that removing all suckers might actually reduce your plant’s productivity.

Here’s why you might want to leave them alone:

1. More Suckers = More Fruit

Each sucker has the potential to become a fruit-bearing stem. On a healthy plant with ample space and nutrients, letting a few suckers grow can mean a higher overall yield.

2. Natural Shade

Suckers grow into branches with leaves, which help shade the fruit from intense sun. This can prevent sunscald—a condition where tomatoes get burned, turn pale, or develop tough skin.