The main online sources for tomato plants

You can buy tomato plants online from four main types of sellers: national garden retailers, seed companies that also ship live plants, local nurseries that take orders online, and general marketplaces. Each has different shipping methods, plant sizes, and variety selection.

National garden retailers like Burpee, Bonnie Plants, and Proven Winners ship bare-root or potted seedlings directly to your door. They typically offer 20 to 50 tomato varieties and ship during the spring planting window—usually March through May, depending on your region. Plants arrive as small seedlings, usually 4 to 6 inches tall, ready to transplant into larger pots or garden beds.

Seed companies including Johnny's Selected Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds sell both seeds and live plants. Live plant orders are seasonal and limited compared to their seed inventory. These companies often specialize in heirloom and unusual varieties you won't find at big-box stores.

Local and regional nurseries increasingly take online orders for pickup or regional shipping. Search "[your state] online plant nursery" or check if your nearest independent nursery has a website with ordering. Local growers often have varieties suited to your climate and can answer questions about your specific growing conditions.

General marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay list tomato plants from various sellers, but quality and shipping practices vary widely. Read recent reviews carefully—shipping live plants through these platforms can result in damage or arrival in poor condition.

Key Takeaways

  • National retailers like Burpee and Bonnie Plants ship seedlings during spring months and offer 20 to 50 varieties, with plants arriving 4 to 6 inches tall.
  • Seed companies such as Johnny's Selected Seeds carry heirloom and specialty varieties as live plants, though selection is smaller than their seed catalog.
  • Local nurseries often have online ordering with pickup or regional delivery, and staff can recommend varieties for your climate.
  • Shipping times vary by retailer and region; most ship only during spring, so order by late February or early March for spring planting.
  • Check recent customer reviews on any marketplace seller before ordering, since live plant shipping can result in damage during transit.

What to expect when plants arrive

Tomato seedlings ordered online typically arrive in one of two conditions: as bare-root plants wrapped in damp paper, or in small pots (usually 2 to 4 inches wide). Bare-root plants are lighter and cheaper to ship but need to go into soil or potting mix when ready. Potted seedlings are sturdier for shipping and can sit for a few days if needed, but cost more.

Most seedlings arrive 4 to 8 inches tall and are not yet ready to plant directly in the garden. They need to be potted up into larger containers (6 to 8 inches) and grown indoors or in a sheltered spot for 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Check the retailer's instructions—some include care sheets with specific timing for your region.

Inspect plants as soon as they arrive. Leaves should be green and firm, stems should not be mushy, and soil should be moist but not waterlogged. If a plant arrives damaged, photograph it and contact the seller within 24 hours—most reputable retailers will replace it or refund your order.

Comparing shipping costs and timing

Shipping costs for tomato plants range from $5 to $20 per order, depending on the number of plants and the retailer's location. Some retailers offer free shipping above a certain order total (often $50 to $75), which makes sense if you're ordering multiple plants or adding seeds or supplies to your cart.

Timing matters more than price. Most online retailers ship only during a narrow window—typically mid-March through mid-May—because plants cannot survive freezing temperatures in transit. If you order too early, the retailer will hold your order until the safe shipping window for your zip code. If you order too late, popular varieties sell out. Ordering by late February gives you the best selection.

Shipping speed varies. Standard shipping usually takes 5 to 10 business days after the order ships. Expedited shipping (2 to 3 days) is available from some retailers but costs $15 to $30 extra and is worth it only if you're ordering very close to your planting date and need plants when ready.

Specialty varieties and heirloom tomatoes online

If you want heirloom, disease-resistant, or unusual varieties—like Cherokee Purple, Sungold, or paste tomatoes for sauce—online ordering is often your only option. Local garden centers typically stock only 5 to 10 common varieties like Early Girl or Big Boy. Online retailers carry 30 to 100 varieties.

Heirloom and specialty plant sellers include Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, and High Mowing Organic Seeds. These companies focus on flavor, disease resistance, or historical varieties and provide detailed descriptions of each plant's characteristics, days to maturity, and best uses (slicing, sauce, paste, cherry).

Specialty plants sometimes cost more per seedling ($3 to $5 each versus $1 to $2 for common varieties) and may have smaller selection during peak season. Order early if you have a specific variety in mind.

Checking plant health before you buy

Before ordering, read the product description and recent customer reviews. Look for comments about plant size at arrival, shipping condition, and whether plants survived the first few weeks after planting. A retailer with mostly five-star reviews and detailed photos is more reliable than one with few reviews or vague descriptions.

Check the plant's days to maturity—the number of days from transplanting to first ripe fruit. If you live in a short-season climate (fewer than 80 frost-free days), choose varieties that mature in 60 to 70 days. Longer-season varieties like Brandywine need 75 to 85 days and may not ripen before frost in northern regions.

Look for disease resistance codes on the product page. VF means resistant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilts; N means resistant to nematodes; T means resistant to tobacco mosaic virus. If you've had disease problems in your garden before, these codes help you choose plants less likely to fail.

Alternatives if online ordering doesn't work for you

If you prefer not to order online or need plants when ready, local garden centers and big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart) stock tomato seedlings in spring. Selection is limited—usually 5 to 15 varieties—but you can inspect plants in person and take them home the same day. Prices are similar to online ($2 to $4 per plant), though you may pay more for specialty varieties if they're available at all.

Another option is to grow tomatoes from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. This requires grow lights, seed-starting mix, and space on a sunny windowsill or shelf, but gives you access to any variety you can find seeds for. Seed packets cost $2 to $4 and produce dozens of seedlings for the price of a few online plants.

Farmers markets and local plant sales (often held by garden clubs or extension offices in spring) are good sources for locally grown seedlings and heirloom varieties. These plants are usually hardier than shipped plants because they've been grown in your climate and haven't experienced shipping stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order tomato plants in summer or fall?

Most online retailers stop shipping live plants by June because heat and shipping stress kill seedlings. Some retailers in cooler climates ship into July. If you want fall tomatoes, order seeds instead and start them indoors in mid-summer for transplanting in late summer. Fall crops work only in regions with frost-free periods extending into November.

What's the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?

Determinate varieties grow to a fixed size (3 to 4 feet), produce most fruit at once, and stop growing. They're good for canning and small spaces. Indeterminate varieties grow continuously until frost, produce fruit all season, and need staking or caging. Most heirloom and slicing tomatoes are indeterminate. The product description always specifies which type.

Do I need to harden off seedlings before planting them outside?

Yes. Seedlings grown indoors or shipped from a nursery are tender and will wilt or die if moved directly into full sun and wind. Spend 7 to 10 days gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions—start with 1 to 2 hours in shade, then increase sun and time each day. This toughens the plant's leaves and stems.

What if my plants arrive wilted or damaged?

Contact the retailer within 24 hours with photos of the damage. Most reputable sellers will replace the plants or refund your order. Keep the original packaging and any shipping labels as proof. If a seller refuses to help, dispute the charge with your credit card company.

Can I order tomato plants and have them shipped to someone else as a gift?

Yes, most retailers allow you to ship to a different address than your billing address. Include a note with planting instructions or a care guide so the recipient knows when to transplant and how to care for the seedlings. Avoid shipping during extreme heat or cold, and give the recipient a heads-up so they're ready to plant when the package arrives.