Anyone who has tried to deal with the jungle of stems and foliage that tomatoes can become if inadequately staked must wonder, “Isn’t there a better option?” While many experienced tomato growers have their favorites, there is no surefire, one-size-fits-all solution to stake tomatoes. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of the more common options to see if there really is a better one for you.

Cages support side branches

When it comes to supporting a multitude of side branches, a cage can be an outstanding choice. But it isn’t the most attractive option, nor is it the sturdiest. Adding some wooden stakes down the sides helps a cage stay upright and may—or may not—add to its appearance.

Pros
• Good support for side branches
Cons
• Not sturdy
• Not attractive
• Not much support for main stem

Tepees are as tall as you make them

Potentially the tallest of supports, a tepee can be built out of almost anything: from bamboo stakes to found branches. Its shape makes it sturdy, but you will need to provide some support for side branches either by adding side braces or by spiraling twine around the structure. You can plant tomatoes at the base of each pole or grow one plant in the center; in that case, a center pole might be required for support.

Pros
• Sturdy
• Inexpensive
• Easy to adapt
• Tall enough for any tomato
Cons
• Requires a lot of space
• Needs to be built

Spirals look good

A spiral is designed to let you wind the main stem around it, providing support. It also looks great in late spring before it gets covered in foliage. The problems with a spiral is that it isn’t nearly tall enough to handle an indeterminate tomato and it offers no support to side stems.

Pros
• Cool looks
• Strong support for main stem
Cons
• Too short for most tomatoes
• No support for side branches
• Can lean due to weight from plant

Ladders are less likely to lean

A ladder provides as much support to the main stem as a spiral but lends more support for side branches. It is also less likely to lean under the weight of the plant. Like a spiral, however, it is often too short to do the job. Many tomato ladders, fortunately, can stand on top of one another, providing the height to hold a huge tomato plant.

Pros
• Strong support for main stem
• Some support for side branches
• Can be stacked for greater height
Cons
• Expensive
• One stake is often not tall enough
• Side stems can break or tangle due to lack of support

Ties are important too

Many supports allow you to wind the main stem through it, but you will occasionally need to tie it or some side branches to your stake. Options abound, from homemade (fabric scraps, such as nylon ties) to commercial (tomato clips). Whatever you use, a good tie will not abrade the stem, nor will it girdle the stem as it grows.