• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Home Garden Joy
  • Home
  • How to Garden
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Diseases
    • Plant Profiles
    • Raised Bed Gardening
    • Seed Starting
    • Tools & Equipment
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Herbs
  • About
    • Books & Classes
      • Herbalism Classes
      • Books for Christian Herbalists
      • Privacy Policy

What Causes Tomato Nose?

September 13, 2016 by Jeanne

Tomato nose. Yeah, this guy.

I’ve spotted a few tomatoes with “noses” over the years, but never stopped to ask what causes a tomato with a nose?  Tomato nose (or horn) is actually a genetic defect that, according to some sources, affects 1 out of every 1,000 plants. Tomatoes with this appearance are safe to eat. Here’s why tomatoes grow horns or noses.

What Causes Tomato Nose?

As a tomato grows from a single, fertilized cell, some cells divide and become the locules. A “nose” grows from a locule that divides incorrectly. The average tomato has five locules. When cells divide incorrectly, they produce an extra locule, which creates the “horn” or nose.

High Temperatures Increase Likelihood of Faulty Cell Division

What is so interesting to me is that extended high temperatures over 90 degrees, particularly warm evening temperatures, can increase the likelihood of the deformity. We had an awful ‘heat dome’ over the past few weeks that kept temps into the 80s overnight. I think that may have increased the chance of my wonky tomato face. It may affect only a few tomatoes.

Some say that heirloom varieties are more likely to be affected. This plant is either a “Celebrity” or “Supersonic” tomato variety. These are supposed to be better able to withstand southern heat.

I don’t mind. Tomato nose is fun. My husband occasionally draws faces on them and leaves them in the kitchen for me to find in the morning. It still makes me laugh after all these years.

 

tomato-face

Can You Eat Tomatoes with Tomato Nose or Horns?

The big question remains: can you eat a tomato with a deformity like this?

Answer: Absolutely!

The wonky genetics doesn’t compromise the taste.

Now there are many other tomato diseases that create odd-looking tomatoes that look or taste bad. But as far as tomato problems go, I will take this one any day.

crack in a tomato
Another tomato with a locule gone bad…
tomato
These tomatoes are fine. Same plant, just earlier in the summer before the heat descended.

 More Tomato Growing Tips

  • How to Plant Tomatoes
  • Choosing Garden Seeds
  • Growing Tomatoes
  • Tomato Plant Problems: Tomatoes with Cracks

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Gardening

Previous Post: « Fall Garden Update and Dealing with Drought
Next Post: Ways to Extend the Growing Season »

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Substack
  • YouTube

As Seen in Porch

 As Seen in Porch

We were featured in Porch.com and answered reader's questions about indoor plants.

Explore All Gardening Articles

Latest Articles

  • How to Adjust Soil pH for Vegetable Gardens
  • Meet a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar
  • Home Grown Garlic: How to Grow Garlic

Herbalism Classes & Supplies

Goods Shop by Herbal Academy – botanically inspired products

Disclosure

Home Garden Joy participates in two affiliate programs: Amazon and The Herbal Academy. Home Garden Joy earns a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. As an Herbal Academy Associate, HGJ also earns a commission when you sign up for classes or purchase herbs or supplies from The Herbal Academy. Herbal information and recipes on this site are provided for educational purposes only.

Footer

garlic growing alongside beets

Home Grown Garlic: How to Grow Garlic

Love it or hate it, garlic is a staple of most pantries. I happen to love garlic, but I know that some do not like it – or the odor that lingers after eating it! Garlic offers many health benefits, and it definitely provides a wonderful, robust flavor to many dishes. As with most home-grown…

Read More

garlic drying on the garage floor

How to Harvest Garlic

Everything you ever wanted to know about how to harvest garlic: when and how to harvest as well as how to properly cure (dry) it for storage. The Complete Guide to Harvesting and Storing Garlic For home gardeners, few moments are as satisfying as pulling that first bulb of garlic from the soil and discovering…

Read More

sunscald spots on tomatoes

Sunscald on Tomatoes: What It Is and How to Prevent It

If you’ve ever walked out to your garden and spotted tomatoes with pale, blistered patches, you might be dealing with a common but frustrating issue: sunscald. It’s not a disease, and it’s not caused by pests. It’s a physiological disorder that stems from too much sun and heat, especially when fruits are suddenly exposed. What…

Read More

close up of a calendula flower

Herbal Profile: Growing Calendula

Growing calendula is easy! The seeds germinate quickly, and calendula can be grown in pots, containers, or garden beds. Best of all, many parts of this beautiful flower are useful. The petals are edible, and the flowers are used to create many herbal skincare products. Learn more about calendula flowers and how you can grow…

Read More

  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Awards

Copyright © 2025 Home Garden Joy on the Foodie Pro Theme