Ever Tried Growing Tomatoes Upside Down? It Sounds Unconventional, But This Budget-Friendly Buy Means You Can Grow More in a Small Space
Upside down tomato planters are ideal for small spaces – this $15 set will help you try it out for yourself
If you're keen to shake up your gardening routine this summer, I guarantee that there's one thing you haven't tried: growing tomatoes upside down. While it might seem strange, this clever trick can produce an impressive harvest, and it's ideal for small spaces.
I'll admit that I was skeptical about the upside down strategy, but one thing has changed my mind: the Pri Gardens upside down tomato planter set from Walmart.
Complete with sturdy hanging loops and a zipper at the base, these planters allow the leaves of your tomato plants to hang down and create a spectacular vertical garden. At $14.99, I'd say that they're a fantastic investment – and the upside-down planting trick is, in fact, expert-approved.
Place the root balls of your tomato plants in these fabric planters, pull the leaves through the zippered gaps, and add soil to create an aerial vegetable patch. They're ideal for patios or balcony gardens.
Why Grow Tomatoes Upside Down?
While many of us look forward to growing tomatoes in the summer, even avid gardeners may not be familiar with growing them upside down.
Yet according to Drew Swainston, Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, there's no need to shy away from this unconventional method – and it does, in fact, bring a host of benefits, especially if you have a small garden.
'The biggest advantage to this method is that it opens up more opportunities for growing food in smaller spaces,' he explains.
'If the ground space on your patio, deck, or balcony is taken up by containers, using a vertical growing idea allows you to get harvests from space that would otherwise be bare. And you’ll certainly get lots of questions from intrigued family, friends, or neighbors.'
So, while your container garden might be overflowing, upside-down planting offers the opportunity to create a new kind of vegetable patch that will save an impressive amount of space.
Plus, like hanging baskets, these planters become an impressive visual display. (Having recently invested in a couple of hanging planters from IKEA, I've been keen to experiment with vertical layering in my small yard, and upside down planters are the perfect choice.)
Drew has worked as a writer since 2008 and was also a professional gardener for many years. As a trained horticulturist, he worked in prestigious historic gardens, including Hanbury Hall and the world-famous Hidcote Manor Garden. He also spent time as a specialist kitchen gardener at Soho Farmhouse and Netherby Hall, where he grew vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers for restaurants. Drew has written for numerous print and online publications and is an allotment holder and garden blogger. He was shortlisted for the Digital Gardening Writer of the Year at the 2025 Garden Media Guild Awards.
How to Use the Upside Down Method to Grow Tomatoes
While tomato planters like these may seem complicated, the growing process is surprisingly simple. Before filling your planters, however, it's worth considering exactly what kind of tomatoes to grow, since this particular method isn't suited to certain tomato varieties.
'If you tried to grow vine tomatoes upside down, the sprawling nature of the plant would get very wild,' warns Drew. 'I would also avoid heavier beefsteak tomatoes, since their weighty fruit could easily lead to stems snapping.'
The best variety to choose? 'Bush types or dwarf cultivars,' advises Drew. 'Bush tomatoes stay compact and will require less upkeep, while dwarf plants are very productive – despite being small in stature – and you can get good yields by growing them upside down.'
Once you've settled on the tomatoes you want to grow, use the hooks provided to hang your planters from a spot on your deck, porch or patio. Then, carefully place the root ball of your tomato plants inside the planters before threading the leaves through the zippered openings.
Finally, use a small trowel (like this Fiskars trowel from Target) to fill the planters with soil. Add water and fertilizer, and your tomato plants will be thriving in no time. (During the summertime, it's best to apply a liquid tomato fertilizer, like this one from Walmart, around every two weeks, particularly if your tomatoes are growing in containers.)
When it comes to upkeep, it's worth remembering that container plants dry out more quickly than anything in beds or borders – so you'll need to pay careful attention to the moisture levels of your hanging tomato plants.
'Tomato plants like consistent moisture, and you do need to water plants more regularly when they are grown in containers,' advises Drew.
As temperatures start to climb in the summer, deep watering is vital. If you're unsure about when to water your garden, experts always recommend getting it done earlier in the day – hanging planters included.
'I would advise always watering upside-down tomatoes in the morning,' says Drew. 'When you water plants, it will leak out over the foliage, so watering in the morning gives ample time for this water to evaporate.
'You don’t want to water in the evening, as the foliage will stay wet overnight, which leaves the plant susceptible to fungal diseases.'
Why Shoppers Love These Planters
There are no fewer than 90 reviews of these planters on the Walmart site, and while a few shoppers describe the upside down design as tricky to master, many praise the durability and convenience of the design.
'I love these for growing my tomatoes and peppers – they are fantastic for small spaces like my balcony, and you can grow another plant from the top,' writes one shopper. 'They are breathable and pretty tough, with a nice zipper. I will be ordering more because I'd like to try some new types to see how they'll do upside down.'
'This is a first for me, but the material is very strong,' says another shopper. 'I used them for cherry tomatoes, and I expect to not have to buy any from the store this summer. Such a brilliant idea and fun too.'
What to Shop
If you prefer a more traditional planting method, try these self-watering hanging baskets. Their detachable saucers slowly release water into the soil.
This metal wand will help you water tall planters and hanging baskets with ease – and allow you to reach any awkward spots in your garden.
This planter is suitable for a variety of climbing plants, including tomatoes. The trellis provides support, while the built-in reservoir takes care of watering.
If you're in need of more advice, check out our guide to the best tomatoes for growing in pots, or take a look at our tips on how to grow bigger tomatoes.
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