How to Remove Tomato Side Shoots on Cordon Varieties

Illustration of tomato plants in pots with bamboo supports

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Removing side shoots from cordon tomato varieties is the process of pruning the plant to maintain a single main stem. This technique, often called ‘pinching out’, keeps the plant easier to support, spaced for airflow and manageable within the growing season. Cordon tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they grow vigorously and vertically; without regular pruning, they can become a dense, sprawling mass of stems that are difficult to support and prone to lower fruit yields.

Table of Contents

Distinguishing cordon from bush tomatoes

Before beginning the pruning process, it is essential to confirm that your variety is a cordon type. Pruning side shoots from the wrong type of tomato can significantly reduce your harvest.

Cordon (Indeterminate) varieties: These are fast-growing plants that continue to grow in height throughout the season. They require tall supports and regular removal of side shoots to keep them as single-stemmed plants. Examples include ‘Cristal’, ‘Tigerella’, and ‘Sungold’.
Bush (Determinate) varieties: These are naturally compact plants that grow to a certain height and then stop. Side shoots on bush tomatoes should be left alone, as they contribute to the overall fruit crop.

If you are unsure, check the seed packet or plant label. If the label specifies ‘cordon’ or ‘indeterminate’, you should proceed with removing the side shoots.

Identifying the side shoot

A side shoot is a new stem that emerges from the leaf axil—the joint where a leaf branch meets the main vertical stem. In a healthy cordon plant, these shoots appear as small, tender stems growing at an angle from the main stem, typically just above the point where the leaf attaches.

To identify them accurately, look closely at the ‘V’ shape formed between the main stem and the leaf stalk. The side shoot will be a small, separate growth emerging from the centre of that junction. It is most effective to check for these shoots every time you water the plants, as they grow rapidly in warm conditions.

Step-by-step guide to removing side shoots

The goal is to keep the plant growing as a single vertical column. Follow these steps to ensure the plant is pruned without causing unnecessary damage:

Timing: Begin removing shoots once they are small. A practical guideline is to pinch them out when they reach approximately 2.5cm in length. Removing them while they are young and tender is easier and causes less stress to the main stem.
The technique: Use your thumb and forefinger to gently grip the side shoot. Snap it off cleanly at the base where it joins the main stem. You can either ‘pinch’ it out with your fingers or use a sharp pair of secateurs if the shoot has already become woody.
Frequency: Inspect your plants every few days. Because cordon tomatoes are vigorous, new shoots can appear quickly. Regular maintenance prevents the plant from becoming overcrowded with foliage, which improves airflow and reduces the risk of disease.
Direction: Always ensure you are removing the shoot from the axil and not accidentally snapping off the main stem or the leaf stalk itself.

The role of supports in cordon pruning

Because you are restricting the plant to one main stem, that stem must be securely supported to handle the weight of the developing fruit trusses. There are two primary methods for supporting pruned cordons:

Using canes

Insert a sturdy bamboo cane next to the plant. As the main stem grows upward, tie it loosely to the cane at regular intervals. This prevents the stem from bending or snapping under the weight of the fruit.

Using vertical strings

In greenhouses, strings can be tied to the roof and anchored under the plant’s rootball during planting. As the plant grows, gently wind the main stem around the string. This method allows for easy adjustment and keeps the plants neatly aligned.

Managing the growing point (Topping)

Pruning side shoots is the primary task throughout the summer, but you must also manage the top of the plant to ensure the remaining fruit ripens before the end of the season. This process is known as ‘topping’ or pinching out the growing tip.

The timing for topping depends on where the plant is growing:

Indoor/Greenhouse plants: Remove the growing point of the main stem as a common guide after about seven fruit trusses, adjusted for the space and remaining season.
Outdoor plants: Remove the growing point as a common guide after about four fruit trusses, adjusted for the variety and remaining season.

When topping, cut the main stem approximately two leaves above the final top truss. This limits new growth late in the season while healthy remaining leaves support existing fruit.

Why side shoot removal is necessary

Failure to remove side shoots on cordon varieties leads to several growth issues that can compromise the harvest:

Resource Competition: The plant has a finite amount of energy. If it spends that energy growing multiple stems and masses of leaves, the individual tomatoes will often be smaller and take longer to ripen.
Air Circulation: A ‘bushy’ cordon plant creates a dense canopy that traps moisture. This lack of airflow can increase the susceptibility of the foliage to diseases, particularly in humid greenhouse environments.
Space Management: Cordon tomatoes are chosen specifically for their ability to grow vertically in limited spaces. Without pruning, they become scrambling plants that take up significantly more ground area and require much more complex support systems.

Useful products for this job

The links below open Amazon UK product searches. Check the exact item, seller, current price and compatibility before buying.

Bamboo canes: Essential for providing vertical support to the single main stem of a pruned cordon tomato plant. Ensure the length is sufficient for the expected height of the variety, typically 1.5m to 2.5m. Search Amazon for Bamboo canes.
Garden secateurs: Used for clean cuts when removing side shoots that have become too woody to pinch by hand. Choose bypass blades for clean cuts on green stems rather than anvil blades which can crush the stem. Search Amazon for Garden secateurs.

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Sources and further guidance

Guidance researched in September 2026. The feature image is an AI-generated illustration. Product guidance is based on published information, not hands-on testing.