Super Sweet 100
Super Sweet 100 cherry tomato yields 200–300 fruits per plant. Learn how to plant, support, prune, and harvest this prolific indeterminate variety.
Key takeaways
- Super Sweet 100 is indeterminate — it grows 6–10 feet tall and produces continuously until frost, unlike determinate types that ripen all at once
- Plant out after last frost when soil reaches 60°F; starting from transplants (not seed) saves 6–8 weeks in northern zones
- Provide a cage, trellis, or stake at least 6 feet tall — standard 4-foot cages will be outgrown by mid-summer
- Remove suckers to 1–2 main stems to concentrate yield and reduce disease pressure from overcrowding
- Fruits are ready to harvest when fully red and slightly soft — they detach easily with a gentle twist
What is Super Sweet 100?
Super Sweet 100 is an F1 hybrid indeterminate cherry tomato producing ¾-inch fruits in long clusters of 20–30 tomatoes. It grows 6–10 feet tall, begins fruiting 60–65 days after transplanting, and produces continuously until frost — a single plant regularly yields 200–300 fruits in one season.
It was developed by Burpee and became one of the most widely grown cherry tomatoes in the US after its introduction. The “100” in the name refers to the original marketing claim of 100 fruits per cluster — an exaggeration in practice, but the productivity is genuine. Clusters of 20–30 ripe fruits are typical.
Two features distinguish it from other cherry tomatoes. First, the consistent sweetness — Brix (sugar content) tests place Super Sweet 100 at 9–10 Brix, compared to 5–7 Brix for most standard slicing tomatoes. Second, the disease resistance package: it carries resistance to fusarium wilt (F) and verticillium wilt (V), two of the most common soil-borne tomato diseases in US gardens.
Super Sweet 100 vs. other cherry tomatoes
| Variety | Size | Days to first fruit | Flavor | Disease resistance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Sweet 100 | ¾ inch | 60–65 | Very sweet, 9–10 Brix | F, V | High yields, snacking |
| Sungold | ¾ inch | 57 | Sweet, tropical, 10+ Brix | F | Best flavor |
| Black Cherry | 1 inch | 65–70 | Rich, complex | None | Flavor variety |
| Sweet Million | ¾ inch | 60 | Sweet | F, V, N | Similar to SS100 |
| Juliet | 1.5 inch | 60 | Balanced sweet-acid | F | Crack resistance |
| Yellow Pear | ½ inch | 70–75 | Mild sweet | None | Visual interest |
For a comparison of full-size hybrid tomatoes versus cherry types, see our how to grow tomatoes guide, which covers the full spectrum of US tomato varieties.
How to grow Super Sweet 100: site and soil
Super Sweet 100 needs full sun (8+ hours daily), well-drained fertile soil, and consistent moisture. These three conditions produce the best yield. Shade or inconsistent watering are the two most common reasons plants underperform.
Site requirements:
- Sun: 8 hours minimum, 10+ hours for maximum production. Cherry tomatoes tolerate 6 hours but yield drops significantly.
- Soil: Loamy, well-drained, rich in organic matter. Amend with 2–3 inches of compost before planting. Target pH 6.0–6.8.
- Water: Consistent moisture prevents blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Deep water 2–3 times weekly rather than shallow watering daily.
Unlike determinate tomatoes that set all fruit within a 2–3-week window, indeterminate types like Super Sweet 100 require consistent nutrition throughout the entire growing season. Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then switch to a lower-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-10-10) once flowering starts.
When and how to plant Super Sweet 100
Start Super Sweet 100 indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. Use individual cells or 3-inch pots with seed-starting mix. Germination takes 5–10 days at 70–80°F soil temperature.
| Zone | Last frost date | Indoor start | Transplant outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | June 1 | April 1 | After June 1 |
| 4 | May 15 | March 15 | After May 15 |
| 5 | May 1 | March 1 | After May 1 |
| 6 | April 15 | February 15 | After April 15 |
| 7 | April 1 | February 1 | After April 1 |
| 8 | March 1 | January 1 | After March 1 |
| 9–10 | February or none | November–December | February–March |
Harden off transplants for 7–10 days before planting outdoors. Set plants 24–36 inches apart in rows 36–48 inches apart. Plant deeply — bury the stem up to the lowest set of leaves. Tomatoes form roots all along buried stem tissue, and deeper planting produces a stronger, drought-resistant root system.
For step-by-step seed starting instructions for tomatoes including Super Sweet 100, see our complete how to grow tomatoes from seeds guide.
How do I support Super Sweet 100?
Super Sweet 100 needs a support structure at least 6 feet tall — preferably 7–8 feet. Standard 4-foot tomato cages are inadequate. By mid-August in most US zones, plants will be growing beyond the top of any standard cage.
Support options:
- Florida weave: The most practical for multiple plants. Install 6-foot T-posts or wooden stakes every 2–3 feet, then weave heavy twine back and forth between plants as they grow. This is the standard commercial method.
- Tall sturdy cage: Use cages 5–7 feet tall and at least 18 inches in diameter. Cattle panels bent into cylinders work well. Standard wire tomato cages (4 feet, 12-inch diameter) are insufficient.
- Vertical string: Tie a piece of soft twine from the base of the plant to an overhead horizontal support (a railing, wire, pergola beam). Wrap the main stem loosely around the string as it grows.
Set up support at planting time. Installing it after the plant is established means disturbing roots and potentially damaging stems.
Pruning Super Sweet 100 for maximum yield
Remove suckers — the shoots that grow in the “V” between the main stem and a branch — to keep the plant to 1–2 main stems. Pruning to 2 stems balances high yield with manageable plant size.
The sucker below the first flower cluster (called the “main sucker”) is the most important one to manage. Left to grow, it becomes a second main stem. You can keep it — two-stem training is standard for indeterminate tomatoes — but remove all other suckers below the first flower cluster.
Above the first flower cluster, you can be more selective. Remove suckers that cross through the interior of the plant (to improve air circulation) but allow some lateral fruiting branches higher up.
Key pruning rules for Super Sweet 100:
- Remove suckers when they are 2–3 inches long (larger suckers leave bigger wounds)
- Pinch out small suckers with your fingers; cut larger ones cleanly with clean scissors
- Never remove more than 30% of the plant at one time
- Stop pruning 4–6 weeks before your expected first fall frost date
Our full pruning tomatoes guide covers the technique in detail with instructions for different training systems.
How do I get more fruit from Super Sweet 100?
Consistent watering, calcium-rich fertilizer during fruit set, and weekly harvesting are the three highest-impact practices for maximizing Super Sweet 100 yield.
Calcium prevents blossom end rot — the dark, leathery patch on the bottom of fruits that ruins entire clusters. Apply a calcium-containing tomato fertilizer (or calcium spray) when fruits begin forming. Consistent soil moisture also helps, since calcium uptake in tomatoes depends partly on water transport.
Weekly harvesting matters more than most gardeners expect. Cherry tomatoes left too long on the plant signal the plant to slow production. Harvest frequently — daily during peak season if possible — and the plant produces more flowers and more clusters.
The only thing that limits Super Sweet 100 in a healthy garden is the end of the season. Unlike many tomatoes that slow down in August heat, Super Sweet 100 continues producing through summer and accelerates again in fall as temperatures drop.
For tomato companion planting strategies that help deter pests and improve growing conditions for Super Sweet 100, see our tomato companion plants guide.
Growing Super Sweet 100 in containers
Super Sweet 100 grows in containers but requires a larger pot than most cherry tomatoes. Use a 15-gallon minimum; 20-gallon is better. Anything smaller limits root growth and reduces yield significantly.
Use a high-quality potting mix amended with perlite for drainage. Container tomatoes need more frequent watering (often daily in hot weather) and more frequent fertilizing (every 10–14 days with liquid fertilizer) than in-ground plants.
Provide a support structure inside the container or stake it to a wall or fence. Container-grown Super Sweet 100 plants can still reach 5–6 feet, so the support must be stable.
For full instructions on container tomato growing — including pot selection, watering, and support — see our guide to growing tomatoes in pots.
Common problems with Super Sweet 100
| Problem | Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blossom end rot | Dark leathery patch on fruit bottom | Calcium deficiency, inconsistent watering | Even watering; calcium spray |
| Fruit cracking | Splits on fruit surface | Irregular watering after dry period | Consistent soil moisture; mulch |
| Yellow lower leaves | Yellowing from base up | Septoria leaf spot, normal aging | Remove affected leaves; improve air flow |
| Slow first fruit set | Flowers but no fruits | Temperatures above 90°F or below 55°F | Wait for temperature correction |
| Fusarium wilt | One-sided yellowing, whole plant collapse | Soil-borne fungus | Super Sweet 100 has F resistance — confirm it’s not another issue |
| Spider mites | Bronze stippling, webbing | Hot dry conditions | Insecticidal soap; increase irrigation |
Super Sweet 100’s built-in fusarium (F) and verticillium (V) resistance prevents two common causes of tomato failure in US gardens. In regions with these diseases in the soil — much of the Southeast and Midwest — this resistance alone makes it worth choosing over heirloom cherry tomatoes.
For more detailed guidance on diagnosing tomato plant problems, see our Better Boy Tomato guide which covers common symptoms shared across hybrid tomato varieties.
When and how to harvest Super Sweet 100
Harvest when fruits are fully red (or the ripe color for the variety) and give slightly under gentle pressure. They pull off the stem cluster with a gentle twist — no need for scissors.
Super Sweet 100 fruits that are left past peak ripeness start to split. Harvest every 2–3 days during peak season. The fruits are small enough that splitting happens quickly once overripe.
For large harvests, harvest entire trusses (clusters) at once when 80–90% of the fruits on the truss are ripe. The remaining fruits on the truss will continue to ripen off the vine.
Peak season for Super Sweet 100 is July through September in most US zones. A single plant in full production can yield a quart or more of cherry tomatoes per week during peak season — more than enough for daily snacking, salads, and roasting.
For information on storing and processing a large tomato harvest, our how to grow tomatoes main guide includes a section on end-of-season harvest management and the best ways to preserve cherry tomatoes.
Sarah Mitchell is a Master Gardener and garden writer based in the Pacific Northwest. She has been growing food and flowers for over 15 years across USDA zones 7 and 8.