When Tomatoes Fight Back

When Tomatoes Fight Back: Why Your Tomato is Sprouting on the Inside

Have you ever seen a tomato grow before you’ve even planted it? One Facebook user recently shared a photo of a tomato that was supposed to be chicken feed—only to discover strange green sprouts pushing through the skin after it sat on the counter for a while. Creepy? A little. Fascinating? Absolutely.

This odd occurrence is called “vivipary”—a natural but rare phenomenon where seeds start to germinate inside the fruit while it’s still intact.

What Causes Vivipary in Tomatoes?

Vivipary happens when the natural dormancy of seeds breaks down prematurely. Instead of waiting to be planted in the soil, the seeds decide it’s time to grow—right inside the tomato.

Here’s why it might happen:

• Overripe fruit: As tomatoes get older, the hormone that keeps seeds dormant (abscisic acid) breaks down.

• Warm, moist conditions: Perfect for germination—even on your kitchen counter.

• Genetics: Some tomato varieties are more prone to vivipary than others.

Is It Safe to Eat?

Yes! It may look strange, but viviparous tomatoes are safe to eat. The sprouts themselves are just baby tomato plants. However, the texture of the tomato may be off—mushy or fermented—so taste and texture might not be ideal for fresh eating.

Can You Plant It?

Definitely! If you’re curious and want to experiment, you can cut open the tomato, gently remove the sprouted seeds, and plant them in soil. With a bit of luck, they might grow into full tomato plants—though they might not be exact clones of the parent fruit if it was a hybrid.

Final Thought

Nature has a funny way of surprising us—and sometimes, even grocery-bound tomatoes decide they’re ready to start life early. Whether you toss it in the compost, give it to the chickens, or try growing a mini tomato forest on your windowsill, this little science surprise is a reminder that food is alive in more ways than we think.