How to Pinch Out Tomato Sideshoots
Pinching out sideshoots keeps cordon tomatoes focused on one main stem, making plants easier to support, water and harvest. It is not a job for bush tomatoes, which naturally make side growth and fruit on it. Identify your tomato type first, then remove only the small shoots growing in leaf joints.
First establish whether your plant is a cordon or bush tomato. Cordon, sometimes called indeterminate, tomatoes continue making a main stem and are normally trained vertically in a greenhouse, polytunnel or sunny outdoor spot. Bush, or determinate, tomatoes stay shorter and carry fruit on branching growth; do not remove their sideshoots. Check the label saved from the module tray or pot, or ask the RHS or a local garden centre if you are unsure. A cordon plant has a clear leading stem, with leaves and flower trusses emerging from it. The sideshoot appears in the V-shaped joint between a leaf stalk and the main stem.
Inspect cordon tomatoes once a week from early summer until growth slows. In warm greenhouse conditions, sideshoots can grow surprisingly quickly, so check twice weekly if plants are vigorous. Choose a dry part of the day so wounds can dry promptly. Look carefully before removing anything: flower trusses often sit close to a leaf joint but have clusters of buds, whereas a sideshoot has leaves and a tiny growing tip. Work from the base upward, holding the main stem gently to avoid pulling it loose from its tie. Remove only shoots that are clearly growing from the leaf axils.
Pinch out a small sideshoot between finger and thumb while it is still soft, usually before it becomes more than a few centimetres long. Bend it sideways gently rather than tearing downward along the main stem. If a shoot has become thick, use clean secateurs and make a neat cut close to its base without damaging the stem. Wipe secateurs clean between plants, especially if any leaves look spotted or unhealthy. Do not strip leaves from the plant during this task. Healthy leaves provide energy for fruit, and removing too much foliage can expose tomatoes to sudden sun and reduce growth.
After removing sideshoots, tie the leading stem to its cane, string or support using a soft, loose tie. This prevents the plant leaning as it grows and makes the next sideshoot inspection easier. Continue watering evenly at the base, particularly once fruits are forming, and feed only when fruit has set, using a high-potash liquid feed or homemade comfrey feed according to the preparation guidance. Avoid overfeeding or excessive nitrogen-rich material, which can cause lush leafy growth and more frequent pinching-out. Good light, airflow and moderate spacing help a trained cordon tomato stay manageable.
As summer progresses, remove only yellowing or damaged lower leaves when necessary, using clean secateurs. Do not confuse this with routine sideshoot removal. In late summer, when several trusses have set and cooler weather is approaching, pinch out the top growing tip of cordon plants if you want existing fruit to ripen rather than new flowers to form. Choose the timing according to your local climate: gardeners in cooler northern areas and Scotland often do this earlier than those in a warm southern greenhouse. Leave a couple of leaves above the highest retained truss.
Put removed, healthy sideshoots on the compost heap or in green waste, but do not use them as fresh mulch around tomatoes. Clear fallen leaves from the base of plants and maintain airflow. If you accidentally remove a flower truss or leader, do not panic: keep the remaining strongest shoot as the new leader, tie it in and continue normal care. Make a note of the variety and its habit for next year. Labelling plants at planting time is the easiest way to avoid pinching out growth from bush types by mistake.
Frequently asked questions
Do all tomatoes need sideshoots removed?
No. Pinch out sideshoots only from cordon, or indeterminate, tomatoes trained as a single stem. Bush, or determinate, tomatoes need their branching growth to produce fruit, so removing it reduces the crop. Keep the original plant label until you are confident which habit you are growing.
What does a tomato sideshoot look like?
It is a leafy new shoot growing in the V-shaped angle between the main stem and a leaf stalk. Flower trusses have groups of buds rather than ordinary leaves. Check closely before pinching, because a small flower truss can be mistaken for a sideshoot.
Can I remove a large sideshoot?
Yes, but use clean secateurs for a thick shoot and make a neat cut without damaging the main stem. Larger wounds take longer to heal, so it is best to inspect regularly and remove sideshoots while they are small, soft and easy to pinch out.
General guidance for UK home gardens and allotments. Conditions vary by region, soil and season; the RHS or a local garden centre can give site-specific advice. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.