How to Ripen Green Tomatoes Indoors

Enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor by ripening green tomatoes indoors with these easy tips.

Ethylene-rich bananas help green tomatoes ripen after picking.

Ripening green tomatoes off the vine

Ethylene producing bananas help green tomatoes ripen after picking.

Ethylene producing bananas help green tomatoes ripen after picking.

There are many reasons why you might want to pick tomatoes when they're still green. Perhaps the local squirrel population have also discovered your tantalizing tomato crop and has begun to go after your still-ripening tomatoes. Maybe your tomatoes are too heavy and seriously weighing down the vine. Maybe you are afraid of disease, rot or insects getting a hold of your green tomatoes before they have a chance to ripen.

Consider picking and ripening your green tomatoes indoors to give them a fighting chance.

If you're seeing a bit of red on those green tomatoes, picking them individually and bringing them inside may be the best chance for ripening tomatoes. Like many fruits, tomatoes continue to ripen once they've been picked.

Ethylene is a gas produced by fruits, including tomatoes, that promotes ripening. Many commercial tomatoes are actually picked while still green for shipping and ripened at their destination by introducing them to an ethylene-rich environment. Although it sounds a little nefarious, the practice is common. Tomatoes ripened after picking tend to be a little less flavorful than their vine-ripened counterparts, but for home growers, it's a great way to rescue imperiled tomatoes and can be done naturally and with little effort.

How to Pickle Green Tomatoes

Find out how to pickle your green tomatoes from a garden expert.

Preserve Your Green Tomatoes

Tomatoes that have been given a head start on the vine have the best chance of ripening once picked. Give green tomatoes a little squeeze. If they give a little, the ripening process is already underway. Better still, tomatoes already showing signs of reddening are good candidates for post-pick ripening. Skip fruit that is marred or showing signs of decay. No amount of indoor ripening will improve them.

Left on the countertop, tomatoes will produce ethylene on their own and ripen eventually. Depending on the variety and how ripe they were when picked, the process can take several weeks. With a little help, though, ripe, red tomatoes are right around the corner.

Tomatoes aren't the only fruit cranking out ethylene. Storing green tomatoes with other ethylene producers can speed up the ripening process considerably. Apples are a good choice, but bananas are ethylene producing powerhouses.

Select a banana that is yellow, but still shows some green at the ends. Barely green bananas are in their ethylene producing prime and the gas they release can reduce the time it takes to ripen picked tomatoes by days or even weeks.

Wash tomatoes and allow to dry completely before storing. For just a few tomatoes, place them in a paper bag with a banana and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Avoid high humidity, which can lead to decay or fruit fly issues. Larger quantities can be placed in a cardboard box instead of a bag. Leave a little space between tomatoes to improve circulation and speed up the ripening process. If dealing with an especially large harvest of green tomatoes, wrap each tomato in paper or place a few sheets of newspaper between layers to limit contact.

Check on tomatoes daily and remove any showing signs of mold or disease. Once ripened, tomatoes should be used within a week for best flavor.

Next Up

How to Grow Mushrooms at Home

Learn about mushrooms and how to grow them at home three ways — in a box, in a bucket or on a log — plus find sources for mushroom growing kits and supplies.

How to Plant and Grow Onions

Get our tips on planting, growing and harvesting onions in your garden.

Why Do Tomatoes Split?

When it comes to taste, homegrown tomatoes beat those hard, red supermarket orbs hands down. Learn why tomatoes crack and split and what to do about it.

How to Grow Cucumbers

Get advice for planting, growing and harvesting cucumbers, including suggestions for types and varieties to grow, companion plants, plus tips for solving common cucumber problems.

Why Are My Cucumbers Bitter?

Cucumbers are one of summer’s best gifts — unless you bite into a bitter one. Find out the science behind why cucumbers are bitter and what you can do to prevent it.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Tomatoes

Consider this your ultimate guide to choosing tomato plants, planting, growing and caring for tomatoes, and harvesting the best-tasting tomatoes ever.

How to Prune and Stake Tomato Plants

Try this advice on pruning, supporting and staking tomato plants for a healthier, more productive crop.

How Far Apart Should Tomatoes Be Planted?

Tomato plant spacing depends on a few factors, including the variety type and the type of garden. Follow our advice and you'll be spacing for success.

How to Freeze Tomatoes From Your Garden

Extend your garden harvest by putting your tomatoes in the deep freeze.

How to Get Rid of Weeds

Make this garden chore fly by with these simple, fast and easy tips for getting rid of weeds. Plus, get advice for preventing weeds in the garden.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.