How to Save Tomato Seeds: Ferment, Rinse, and Dry
Save tomato seeds from ripe fruit by fermenting the pulp 2 to 4 days, then rinse and dry fully. Open-pollinated and heirloom types come true. Hybrids do n...
Published by ThriveThyme
tomato seed saving harvest
How to Save Tomato Seeds
Save tomato seeds from fully ripe fruit. Scoop the pulp and seeds into a jar. Ferment 2 to 4 days. Rinse off the pulp. Dry the seeds fully. Store them cool and dry.
Only open-pollinated and heirloom tomatoes come true from saved seed. Hybrids will not.
See the tomato plant page and when to harvest tomatoes.
Ferment, Rinse, Dry
- Use ripe fruit.
- Scoop seeds and gel into a clean jar. Add a splash of water if the mix is dry.
- Ferment 2 to 4 days at room temperature.
- Pour off the pulp. Rinse seeds in a strainer until they are clean.
- Spread them in a single layer. Dry fully before storage.
What Comes True
Open-pollinated and heirloom varieties grow like the parent. Hybrids (often labeled F1) will not come true. Skip those for seed saving.
Store
Keep dry seed in a labeled envelope or jar. Store cool and dry. Use the next season for best germination.
Next Steps
Pick ripe fruit using when to harvest tomatoes. Save seed only from healthy open-pollinated plants.