If you do not want to wait for your tomatoes to ripen on their own, there are a few methods at your disposal that will eventually help you speed up the ripening process and allow you to enjoy them before the end of the season.

With the right conditions, you will be successful enough to ripen the green tomatoes quickly and effectively.

Read through this blog post and learn the exact ways to ripen tomatoes indoors.

Also, read: How To Prune Tomato Plants For A Better Harvest?

How Fast Do Green Tomatoes Ripen Indoors?

Tomatoes are known to produce ethylene gas that triggers the ripening process even after they have been plucked from the plant. The completely underripe green tomatoes take 7-14 days to ripen if placed in a paper bag.

If the tomatoes have already started ripening, they may ripen shortly in that 7-14-day range. Also, ripening factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to ethylene-producing fruits will speed up the ripening process.

The ideal temperature range for ripening green tomatoes indoors is 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best Ways To Ripen Green Tomatoes Indoors [Easy Methods]

Here are the top methods for ripening tomatoes, including techniques for your growing season:

1. Newspaper And Cardboard Box

Here’s how you can ripen green tomatoes indoors by using newspaper and cardboard box:

• Select mature and soft tomatoes.
• Wash and dry them, then wrap each one individually in newspapers to allow the tomatoes to ripen evenly.
• Store them in a cardboard box between 14 and 21 degrees Celcius.
• Next, add a few apples to the cardboard box to speed up the ripening process.
• Monitor the cardboard box weekly to remove the ripe tomatoes and discard those showing signs of rotting.

2. Paper Bag

The paper bag method is another method that can be fully utilized to ripen green tomatoes.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Wash the mature tomatoes, such as cherry tomatoes, and place them in a closed paper bag.
• Place them in a warm location
• Add a ripe banana or an apple inside the bag to help them ripen faster.
• Check the bag daily for signs of mold or rot.
• After the ripening of tomatoes, remove them from the bag.

3. Hanging The Plant

Hanging the plant upside down is yet another way of ripening green tomatoes. This is what you need to do:

• Wash and dry the mature tomatoes.
• Pull out the entire tomato plant and shake off the soil.
• Now, hang it upside down in a warm location to help ripen.
• Start monitoring the plant for signs of ripening and then remove the ripe tomatoes.

4. Box Method

This method is quite similar to the cardboard box method, and the steps for the same are discussed below:

• Choose many fully ripe tomatoes from the garden and wash them.
• Dry them and place them in a cardboard box.
• Make sure they do not touch each other.
• Add a ripe banana to the box, allowing it to ripen faster.
• Make it a point to check the box regularly for signs of mold, rot, or full ripening, and then remove the tomatoes as and when required to prevent frost damage.

5. Use Socks

Using socks to ripen tomatoes is a clever technique that leverages the natural ripening process. This is particularly convenient for small batches of tomatoes and ensures the green tomatoes ripen evenly.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Choose some matured tomatoes that are free from damage.
• Use clean, dry, and large-size socks to hold the tomatoes to ripen from your garden.
• Gently place one or two tomatoes inside each sock and avoid squeezing in.
• Hang the socks in a dry place and make sure there isn’t any direct sunlight.
• Check the tomatoes regularly for signs of ripening on the vine.
• Look for color changes, and once the red tomatoes have ripened, remove them from the socks.

6. Windowsill Method

The Windowsill Approach is yet another prevalent method of ripening tomatoes.

Here’s what can be done:

• After selecting fully grown matured tomatoes on the vine, wash and dry them.
• Then, place the tomatoes on a windowsill and make sure it receives sunlight.
• Check their daily progress and transfer the tomatoes to a bag or box to continue ripening.

When Do Tomatoes Stop Ripening?

Generally, tomatoes stop ripening when they reach the fully matured stage and reach their maximum size on the vine. But some additional factors help in the ripening process, and those are:

• Overwatering leads to a slower ripening process and some fungal diseases, impacting tomatoes on the vine.
• A moderate temperature provides the necessary warmth for the ripening of the fruit. High humidity can also lead to fungal diseases and slow down the ripening process.
• Ensure the fruit is mature enough to ripen before being exposed to the necessary warmth.
• Excessive heat can put a stop to the ripening process in your garden and can even scald the skin.

Final Words

You can quickly transform green tomatoes into delicious, juicy ones using the proper techniques. However, remember that success lies in creating the right conditions for ripening.

So, ripen the green tomatoes indoors and experience the satisfaction of enjoying fresh, homegrown tomatoes before the first frost.