Golden Sunburst Tomato: Striped Beauty That Regrows From Scraps in Weeks

Growing Golden Sunburst tomatoes from scraps is the easiest way to get a second harvest in weeks. ✨ This heirloom variety doesn't just produce stunning yellow-and-orange striped fruits—it regenerates from the stem, so you can grow new plants from old stems in just 2-3 weeks.

No fancy greenhouses or expensive seeds required.

The secret to success starts with the right conditions: warm soil (at least 60°F), full sun (6-8 hours daily), and a rich, well-draining mix.

I've found that adding compost at planting gives them a flavorful boost, and their natural disease resistance means fewer worries about blight or rot. The flavor? Sweet, juicy, and just slightly tangy—like a cross between a beefsteak and a cherry tomato.

By mid-summer, you'll have vines stretching 4-6 feet with clusters of those iconic striped fruits. The best part? After harvest, save a 2-inch stem segment, dry it, and replant it in water—new roots form in 10-14 days. You'll have a second crop before fall frost hits.

Perfect for small spaces, containers, or even indoors with grow lights. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this tomato will reward you with two harvests for the price of one. Let's get those scraps growing!

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for regrowing Golden Sunburst tomatoes from scraps

Here’s how to turn a single tomato scrap into a thriving vine—no seeds or soil stress required.

The key is choosing a healthy stem cutting with at least 3-4 inches of growth and 2-3 leaf nodes. Look for vibrant green stems (not woody or brown) and fresh, undamaged leaves. I always pick scraps from the middle section of the vine—these have the best regrowth energy.

Trim the stem just below a leaf node with clean, sharp scissors (not torn or jagged cuts). Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top 1-2 sets intact. This prevents rot and directs energy to root formation. Place the cutting in lukewarm water immediately—delaying even 30 minutes reduces success rates.

Use a clear glass jar (so you can monitor root growth) filled with 2-3 inches of water. Submerge only the bottom 1 inch of the stem—more water drowns the nodes. Change the water every 3-4 days to prevent bacterial buildup. Place the jar in bright, indirect light (a south-facing window or grow light 6-8 inches away works best).

Root growth appears in 7-14 days—you’ll see tiny white tendrils forming at the nodes. Keep the water level consistent (add drops as needed) and avoid direct sun, which overheats the water. If the stem turns mushy or smells foul, trim off the rotted section and restart. This is your early warning sign.

Once roots reach 1-2 inches, it’s time to move to soil. Fill a 6-inch pot with well-draining potting mix (avoid garden soil—it compacts and suffocates roots). Gently tap the pot to settle the soil, then dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball to encourage stability. Place the cutting in, firm the soil around it, and water lightly to eliminate air pockets.

Keep the pot in bright, indirect light for the first week to reduce transplant shock. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry—overwatering now causes root rot. You’ll see new leaves emerge within 10-14 days, signaling successful establishment. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

After 2 weeks in the pot, start hardening off by placing the plant outside in partial shade for 1-2 hours the first day. Gradually increase exposure over 7-10 days, moving to full sun by day 10. Golden Sunbursts thrive in 6-8 hours of direct sun, but avoid midday heat in summer—use shade cloth if temps exceed 90°F.

Fertilize lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) once the plant shows 4-5 true leaves, then repeat every 4-6 weeks. Prune suckers (the small shoots in the leaf axils) to encourage bushier growth. You’ll see flowers in 6-8 weeks, and your first striped tomatoes in 8-10 weeks—proof that scraps can outperform seeds.

Tips & tricks for regrowing Golden Sunburst tomatoes

These simple strategies will help you maximize your success rate with those vibrant tomato scraps—no green thumb required.

Selection is Everything: In Step 1, focus on the middle section of the vine for cuttings, as these stems contain the most growth hormones. I’ve found that cuttings with 2-3 leaf nodes and at least 3-4 inches of growth root the fastest. Avoid woody or brown stems—they’re past their prime and won’t regrow well. The key is freshness: work with scraps within 30 minutes of cutting to preserve their vitality.

Water Management Matters: During Step 2, maintaining the right water level is critical. Submerge only the bottom 1 inch of the stem—any deeper and you risk drowning the leaf nodes. I’ve learned this the hard way: over-submerged cuttings develop rot within days. Change the water every 3-4 days to prevent bacterial growth, and always use lukewarm water (cold water shocks the plant, while hot water burns it).

Transplant Timing: The 1-2 inch root length in Step 3 is your cue to move to soil, not sooner. Smaller roots are delicate and can break easily. When transplanting, dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball to stabilize the plant—this small detail prevents toppling. After transplanting, keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy, especially during the first week when roots are establishing themselves.

Light and Heat Strategy: Golden Sunbursts thrive in 6-8 hours of direct sun, but during the hardening-off phase (Step 4), start with just 1-2 hours of partial shade. Gradually increase exposure over 7-10 days—this gradual transition prevents sunburn. If temperatures exceed 90°F, use shade cloth during peak hours to protect your plant without stunting its growth. I’ve seen firsthand how heat stress can set back progress by weeks.