Growing tomatoes in polytunnel greenhouse is a popular choice for UK gardeners. Polytunnels offer a controlled environment that protects crops from adverse weather conditions. Growing in a polytunnel makes it easier to grow tomatoes successfully wherever in the UK you live.
If you are growing tomatoes, however, and especially when you are growing in a polytunnel, it is very important to make sure that you select the best varieties of tomatoes.
This guide will explore the best varieties of tomatoes for UK polytunnel cultivation, the differences between tomato types, and how to select the most suitable plants for your needs.
What are the Different Varieties of Tomatoes?
Tomatoes come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colours, ranging from small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteaks.
Obviously, it is possible to categorise them in a number of different ways. You might distinguish different tomato varieties by the characteristics of their fruit: how they taste, their colour and their size are just three of the distinguishing characteristics. We might also categorise them by time to harvest, and how early or late in the season they are ready to eat.
There are, however, other important distinctions to consider before you hone in on those details. Understanding the differences between determinate, indeterminate, heirloom, and hybrid tomatoes can help you make the best choice for your polytunnel garden.
Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be divided into two different categories based on their growth habits:
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes, often referred to as vining tomatoes, grow continuously throughout the season, producing fruit along the length of the vine. These varieties require staking or trellising and regular pruning to manage their growth.
Advantages of Indeterminate Tomatoes:
- Longer harvesting period
- Higher overall yield
- Suitable for gardeners with time to manage plants regularly
Disadvantages:
- Require more space and support
- Need frequent maintenance
Determinate Tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes, or bush tomatoes, grow to a specific height and produce fruit over a shorter period. They do not require extensive support and are often preferred by gardeners who want a more compact plant.
Advantages of Determinate Tomatoes:
- Ideal for small spaces
- Easier to manage
- Fruit ripens simultaneously, perfect for bulk harvesting
Disadvantages:
- Shorter harvesting season
- Lower overall yield compared to indeterminate varieties
Should you Grow Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
The choice between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes depends on your goals, available space, and the time you can dedicate to maintenance. If you want a continuous supply of fresh tomatoes and have room for trellising, indeterminate varieties are ideal. For those looking for a simpler growing experience, determinate varieties are a great choice.
Both can work well for polytunnel gardeners, when the right supports/ growing areas or containers are used. Though it is important to consider how each grows when considering the overall polytunnel layout.
Heirloom vs Hybrid
Tomatoes are also categorized into heirloom and hybrid types, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties passed down through generations. They are prized for their rich, unique flavours and diverse colours and shapes.
Advantages of Heirloom Tomatoes:
- Superior taste
- Greater variety in size and colour
- Seeds can be saved and replanted
Disadvantages:
- Less disease resistance
- May sometimes have lower yields compared to hybrids
Hybrid Tomatoes
Hybrid tomatoes are created by cross-breeding two different varieties to produce plants with specific desirable traits, such as disease resistance, uniform size, and high yield.
Advantages of Hybrid Tomatoes:
- Better disease resistance
- Higher yields
- More uniform fruit
Disadvantages:
- Seeds cannot be saved for future planting
- Flavour may be less nuanced compared to heirlooms
Which Tomato Varieties are Right for You?
When selecting a tomato variety for your polytunnel, consider factors such as flavour, yield, disease resistance, and growth habit. Whether you prefer the rich taste of heirlooms or the reliability of hybrids, there is a tomato variety to suit every gardener.
10 Best Varieties of Tomatoes To Grow In Polytunnels
1. Primabella
Primabella is an indeterminate hybrid variety that produces small, round, bright red cherry tomatoes. These fruits are known for their sweet, juicy taste with a hint of tang, making them perfect for fresh eating, salads, or light cooking.
They are firm and resistant to cracking, ensuring a high-quality harvest. Primabella is especially suitable for polytunnel cultivation due to its strong resistance to late blight and tolerance for humid conditions.
To grow this variety successfully, provide a sturdy support system such as a trellis or canes, and prune regularly to maintain airflow and encourage fruit development. Its ease of cultivation and disease resistance make it a favourite for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
2. Gardener’s Delight
Gardener’s Delight is a beloved indeterminate heirloom tomato, popular for its exceptional flavour. It produces clusters of small, round cherry tomatoes, typically weighing around 15–20g each.
The fruits have a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, making them ideal for snacking, salads, or cooking. This variety thrives in the protected environment of a polytunnel, where it can grow tall and produce fruit continuously throughout the season.
To maximise yields, it’s essential to stake or trellis the plants and prune side shoots regularly. Gardener’s Delight benefits from consistent feeding and watering, ensuring its fruits develop their characteristic flavour and juiciness.
3. Gardeners’ Ecstasy
Gardeners’ Ecstasy is an indeterminate heirloom variety prized for its incredibly sweet and flavourful cherry tomatoes. The fruits are small, round, and thin-skinned, bursting with flavour that makes them perfect for snacking or adding to salads.
Its vigorous growth habit makes it an excellent candidate for polytunnels, where its vines can be trained on trellises or stakes. Regular pruning is recommended to manage its growth and improve airflow, which helps to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Consistent watering is also crucial, as irregular moisture levels may cause the fruits to split. With proper care, Gardeners’ Ecstasy offers a long, productive harvest season.
4. Maskotka
Maskotka is a determinate hybrid variety that produces an abundance of small, round cherry tomatoes. These deep red fruits are sweet, rich in flavour, and firm yet juicy, making them versatile for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving. Its compact, bushy growth habit makes Maskotka ideal for small polytunnels or container gardening.
This low-maintenance variety requires minimal staking and is perfect for gardeners with limited space or time.
To achieve the best results, plant Maskotka in well-draining soil and feed it regularly with a balanced tomato fertiliser. With its high yields and sweet taste, it’s a great choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
5. Moneymaker
Moneymaker is a well-known indeterminate hybrid variety that has been a staple of UK tomato gardening for decades. It produces medium-sized, round fruits with smooth, uniform skins and a slightly tangy flavour.
Renowned for its reliability, Moneymaker performs well in the controlled environment of a polytunnel, providing consistent yields throughout the growing season. Its vining growth habit requires staking or trellising for support, and regular pruning will help maintain airflow and reduce the risk of disease.
Moneymaker thrives in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and benefits from consistent feeding and watering. Its versatility makes it suitable for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving.
6. Urbikany
Urbikany is a compact determinate heirloom variety that produces small, round red tomatoes with a well-balanced flavour. This variety matures quickly, making it an excellent choice for early or late-season harvests in the UK.
Its bushy growth habit makes Urbikany well-suited for smaller polytunnels or container gardening. Since it doesn’t require extensive staking or pruning, it’s easy to manage, even for beginners.
Urbikany is also cold-tolerant, which helps it thrive in cooler climates. For best results, grow it in well-aerated soil, keep the soil consistently moist, and apply a high-potassium fertiliser during the fruiting phase to maximise yields.
7. Millefleur
Millefleur is an indeterminate heirloom variety that produces stunning trusses of tiny yellow tomatoes. These fruits have a mild, sweet flavour and are visually striking, often growing in dense clusters of up to 100 tomatoes per truss. Millefleur thrives in the warm, sheltered environment of a polytunnel, where its vigorous vines can be trained on a trellis or supported with sturdy stakes.
Due to its heavy fruit clusters, strong support is essential to prevent the plant from collapsing. Regular pruning and consistent watering will help maintain plant health and encourage a bountiful harvest. Millefleur adds both beauty and productivity to any polytunnel.
8. Skykomish
Skykomish is a hardy indeterminate heirloom variety that produces large, golden-yellow beefsteak tomatoes. These meaty fruits are low in seeds and have a mild, sweet flavour, making them perfect for slicing, sandwiches, or grilling. Skykomish is particularly valued for its strong resistance to late blight, making it an excellent choice for the humid conditions of a polytunnel.
Its vining growth habit requires robust support, such as a trellis or tall stakes, and regular pruning to optimise airflow and plant health. Skykomish prefers well-draining soil and consistent moisture levels to ensure even fruit development and prevent cracking.
9. Ruby
Ruby is an indeterminate hybrid cherry tomato variety known for its vibrant red fruits and excellent disease resistance. The small, round tomatoes have a sweet, juicy flavour and are perfect for snacking, salads, or roasting.
Ruby thrives in the controlled environment of a polytunnel, where its vigorous vines can grow tall and produce high yields over a long season.
This variety benefits from trellising or staking for support, and pruning will help maintain airflow and maximise fruit production. Consistent watering and feeding with a high-potassium fertiliser are crucial for the best-tasting fruit and healthy plant growth.
10. Moskvich
Moskvich is a cold-tolerant indeterminate heirloom variety that produces medium-sized, round tomatoes with a rich, complex flavour.
The fruits are juicy and versatile, making them suitable for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving. Moskvich is well-suited to UK conditions and thrives in the sheltered environment of a polytunnel. Its vining growth habit requires staking or trellising, and regular pruning will help maintain airflow and encourage healthy fruit development.
To prevent cracking, maintain consistent moisture levels throughout the growing season. Feed with a balanced fertiliser for optimal yields, and enjoy the robust flavour of this reliable heirloom variety.
FAQs
Are there specific tomato varieties that perform better in the humid conditions of a polytunnel?
Yes, varieties like Primabella and Skykomish are known for their excellent blight resistance, making them ideal for the humid conditions often found in polytunnels.
Are there bush tomato varieties suitable for polytunnels?
Absolutely. Determinate varieties like Maskotka, Urbikany, and Ruby are well-suited to the limited space and controlled environment of polytunnels.
Which tomato varieties offer the best disease resistance for polytunnel cultivation?
Hybrid varieties like Moneymaker and heirloom types such as Skykomish offer excellent disease resistance, ensuring healthy plants and robust yields.
Sources
Regina. (2022) Pineapple tomato: varieties, cultivation & care. Plantura Magazine. [online] Available at: https://plantura.garden/uk/vegetables/tomato-varieties/pineapple-tomato [accessed 06/01/2025]
