Louisiana · zones 8b–9b
When to plant cherry tomatoes in Louisiana.
Sow or transplant between Mar 7 to May 7 in a typical year, keyed to Louisiana's median last frost around Feb 28. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Cherry Tomatoes dates for a typical Louisiana season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 24 to Mar 26
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 7 to May 7
Keyed to the ~Feb 28 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~57 days later
~8 lb per plant over ~10 weeks.
Louisiana spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 9b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Louisiana: watch for
The pests that find cherry tomatoes here.
With about 276 frost-free days, tomato, cherry spends longer in the ground here than in most of the country, which widens the window in which tomato hornworm can find it. Scout weekly from midseason and act on the first signs.
Big green caterpillars strip leaves and leave black droppings.
Organic fix: Handpick at dusk; spray Bt on the young ones.
Clusters on new growth, sticky leaves, curling tips.
Organic fix: Blast with water, then insecticidal soap or neem.
Dark spots with concentric rings, starting on the lowest, oldest leaves.
Organic fix: Remove affected leaves, mulch to stop soil splash, space for airflow.
Greasy, water-soaked blotches in cool, wet spells. No rings, and not bottom-up.
Organic fix: Pull infected plants fast, keep leaves dry, use neem as a preventive.
Septoria leaf spot
Many small tan spots with dark brown edges, low leaves first, no rings inside.
Organic fix: Strip the lowest leaves, mulch against soil splash, stake for airflow.
Your season math: Louisiana gives cherry tomatoes about 276 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 57 days to a first harvest. It's a one-planting crop, so time that single sowing well.
Planting cherry tomatoes in Louisiana: questions
When should I plant cherry tomatoes in Louisiana?+
In a typical Louisiana year, sow cherry tomatoes or set out transplants between Mar 7 to May 7, keyed to the state's median last frost around Feb 28. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start cherry tomatoes seeds indoors in Louisiana?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Jan 24 to Mar 26 for a typical Louisiana season.
What USDA zone is Louisiana?+
Louisiana spans zones 8b–9b, mostly zone 9. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many cherry tomatoes plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.