Tomato cages might seem like a useful tool for managing your crop but once the vines grow, they could start doing more harm than good.
14:24 ET, 10 Jun 2025Updated 14:24 ET, 10 Jun 2025
Tomato cages might not be the best choice
Tomato cages might be a go-to for home gardeners, but experts say they might be doing your plants more harm than good, and it could be time to try a better method.
The cone-shaped wire cages seem perfect when your tomato plant is still small and manageable. But once those vines start growing and a single plant starts producing dozens of pounds of fruit it can quickly become chaotic.
The major problem with these cages is often airflow, according to House Digest. Cages keep foliage tightly packed, which traps moisture and creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases to spread.
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Because cages are reused year after year and are hard to clean properly, you could be unknowingly passing harmful pathogens onto your next crop.
They’re also not the strongest support system. Heavier, heirloom varieties like ‘Brandywine’ or ‘Cherokee Purple’ often grow far taller and bushier than a standard cage can handle.
This can result in wobbly, bent supports and fruit hidden deep inside where it’s hard to harvest.
That’s why more and more green thumbs are saying goodbye to cages and turning to other techniques like staking or trellising.
One increasingly popular method is the Florida weave, a viral TikTok favorite that uses posts and garden twine to “weave” support around rows of tomato plants.
The cages can disrupt airflow to the plant(Image: Getty Images)
It’s simple, effective, and keeps fruit accessible while improving air circulation.
You can also train your tomato plants using a single central stake, two vertical stakes on either side, or even a DIY rebar trellis for a sturdier long-term option.
All of these methods help reduce disease risk and make your tomatoes easier to pick.
Letting tomato plants grow wild on the ground isn’t a great idea either — they’ll rot fast in the soil. Whatever support method you choose, keeping your plants off the dirt and well-pruned is key to getting the best harvest.
If you still prefer tomato cages, you don’t have to toss them completely. Just opt for larger, open-style cages made of strong material, and use them with smaller, more compact varieties.
As the plant grows, guide the branches outward and trim the lower leaves to help with airflow and don’t forget to leave plenty of space between each plant.