Tomato plants are phototropic, meaning they naturally grow towards the light source. If your seedlings are sitting on a windowsill or under a grow light that only lights them from one side, they’ll start curving in that direction to reach the light.
Over time, this can lead to a noticeable bend or curve in the stem, causing your tomato seedlings to grow more horizontally than vertically. Bent tomato seedlings can still grow into healthy, productive plants. The main issue is support. Bent plants are more difficult to train, cage, or tie up, especially when they begin to bear fruit and are heavy on the top. Straightening them early on helps improve plant health and makes maintenance easier.
Bury Bent Stems while transplanting to keep tomato stems straight
The best time to correct a bent tomato seedling is during transplanting. Tomatoes can grow roots all along their stems, which means you can safely plant them much deeper than they are currently growing. Burying part of the stem not only straightens your tomato plant, it also helps it grow a larger and stronger root system.
Here’s how to fix bent tomato seedlings when transplanting:
- Trim lower leaves
Cut off the leaves along the portion of the stem that is bent. Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to avoid introducing disease. - Keep the growing tip
Make sure to leave the top of the plant intact, ideally with at least one or two leaves. This allows the seedling to continue growing without interruption. - Dig a deep hole
Prepare a deep hole in your garden bed, raised bed, or container that you want to transplant your seedling into. The hole should be wide enough to accommodate the bend in your plant. - Gently remove the seedling
Carefully take the tomato seedling out of its current pot without disturbing the roots as little as possible. - Transplant deeply
Place the seedling in the hole so that only the top, straight portion of the plant is above the soil line. The bent part of the stem should be fully buried. - Fill and water
Fill the hole with soil and gently press around it to keep the seedling supported. Water the plant so that
Tip: Transplant your tomato seedlings on a cloudy/overcast day or during a cooler time of the day to avoid transplant stress in your plants.
How to Prevent Tomato Seedlings from Growing Crooked
Preventing bent tomato plants comes down to providing consistent, even light. Aim to give your seedlings strong light from directly above, either with a grow light or by placing them in a spot where sunlight reaches them overhead. If your light source is coming from the side, such as a window, be sure to rotate your seedling tray daily so that each side gets equal exposure. This encourages balanced, upright growth.
Bent tomato seedlings are a common issue that is easy to fix! By transplanting your tomato seedlings deep and providing consistent light from above, your tomatoes will straighten up and thrive.
Have more tomato about growing questions? Check out our other articles on growing great tomatoes or leave your question below.