Tiny Tim
Single source · Reviewed Sep 9, 2026
Values marked like this (estimated) are model estimates, not confirmed from a source.
Open-pollinated cherry from USA, 1945. The classic windowsill dwarf: a foot tall and still sets a full crop. Ready in about 60 days from transplant.
- Open-pollinated
- 60 (estimated) days to maturity (from transplant)
- Dwarf
- Cherry-size fruit
- Easy-moderate (estimated)
At a glance
- Fruit type
- Cherry 0–1 oz (12–20 g) · Round (estimated)
- Leaf type
- Regular leaf
- Plant height
- 12–18 in (30–45 cm) (estimated) Compact
- Spacing
- 16 × 24 in (40 × 60 cm) (estimated)
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Position
- Handles open positions
- Growing sites
- Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Open ground · Container
- Container growing
- Balcony friendly min. 3 gal (15 L) pot (estimated)
- Skin
-
- Red
- Interior
-
- Red
Plant size and habit
Compact · Dwarf
12–18 in (30–45 cm) (estimated) · Regular leaf
Tiny Tim is a dwarf plant — compact and sturdy on thick stems, still productive over a full season; it does not need staking. Expect a plant of 12–18 in (30–45 cm).
Flavor
“The classic windowsill dwarf: a foot tall and still sets a full crop.”
Growing calendar
- Sow indoors
- Transplant out
- Harvest
Timing shown for temperate climates; sow indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date.
Disease resistance
No documented disease resistances — protect this variety with good airflow and crop rotation.
Uses & tags
- Fresh & salads
- Snacking
- Container star
- Kid friendly
- Beginner friendly
- Short season
Origin
Tiny Tim was bred at the University of New Hampshire in Durham and released in 1945, from a cross of Window Box, another UNH dwarf, with Red Currant; the seed is held by the USDA as PI 303797. It is the old standard dwarf: a plant that stops at roughly a foot and can finish a crop on a windowsill or a balcony rail. The fruit is ordinary, but the point has never been flavour. It is the variety that proves a tomato does not need a garden.
Sources
Where to buy seeds
| Shop | Offer | Price | Packet | Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Leaf Market | Seeds | $3.59Checked Sep 16, 2026 | 250 Mg Packet | Check availability | Buy |
| Tomato Growers Supply Company | Seeds | $3.95Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Pack (30 seeds) | Check availability | Buy |
| Eden Brothers | Seeds | $5.49Checked Sep 16, 2026 | Packet | Check availability | Buy |
Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices checked Sep 16, 2026; not live.
All photos
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Tiny Tim tomatoes ripening on the vine under cover -
A truss of Tiny Tim tomatoes -
Tiny Tim tomato plant in a garden bed with ripe fruit on the vine -
A ripe Tiny Tim tomato held in a gardener's hand -
Freshly picked Tiny Tim tomatoes -
Tiny Tim tomato sliced in the kitchen
Questions
How long does Tiny Tim take to mature?
Tiny Tim is ready in about 60 days from transplant.
Does Tiny Tim need staking?
Tiny Tim is a dwarf plant — compact and sturdy on thick stems, still productive over a full season; it does not need staking. Expect a plant of 12–18 in (30–45 cm).
Can Tiny Tim be grown in a container?
Yes — Tiny Tim grows well in a container of at least 15 L (3 gal).
Is Tiny Tim resistant to disease?
No disease resistance is documented for Tiny Tim.
See also
Other cherry varieties people put next to this one.
Grows like this one
Dwarf, early, full sun. Same support, same calendar.
