Have you ever cut into a ripe tomato and been surprised to see little sprouts coming out of the seeds inside? This is a common occurrence that has a name: vivipary. This page goes into great detail about what causes tomato seeds to sprout early, what vivipary means, and whether these sprouted tomatoes are still safe to eat.
What is Vivipary?
Vivipary refers to when seeds begin to germinate and grow while still attached to the parent plant. The term comes from Latin words meaning “live birth.” In tomatoes, it means the seeds start sprouting and forming baby tomato seedlings while still inside the tomato fruit.
This often happens when tomatoes are left to ripen for too long on the vine. In normal circumstances, an inhibitory hormone in the gel around the seeds stops them from sprouting too soon. But over time, ethylene production and enzymes break down this hormone, letting the seeds sprout inside the overripe fruit.
Why Does Vivipary Occur in Tomatoes?
There are a few key reasons tomato seeds may begin premature sprouting:
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Over-ripening – Tomatoes left to ripen too long on the counter lose the hormone that keeps seeds dormant. This is the most common cause.
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Cold exposure – Temperatures below 55°F can trigger seeds to sprout inside. Even brief refrigeration can induce vivipary.
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Low ethylene – Ethylene is the ripening hormone in tomatoes. Low levels prevent full ripening and seed dormancy.
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Enzyme action – Enzymes in an aging tomato degrade the inhibitors that prevent vivipary.
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Variety susceptibility – Some tomato varieties, like heirlooms, are more prone to vivipary.
Is it Safe to Eat Sprouted Tomatoes?
Tomatoes with internal sprouts are 100% safe to eat. The sprouts are simply young tomato seedlings starting to grow, not mold or anything harmful.
But sprouted tomatoes might taste blander or have a more mealy texture. As the seeds sprout, they use up sugars and other chemicals, which takes away flavor from the fruit pulp around them. During sprouting, enzymes break down pectin and cell walls, which makes the texture worse.
Vivipary doesn’t make tomatoes dangerous, but it does change the way they taste and feel. It’s best to pick tomatoes when they are very ripe, before they get too ripe and start sprouting.
How to Prevent Vivipary in Tomatoes
To reduce the chances of seeds prematurely sprouting, follow these tips:
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Pick tomatoes at peak ripeness before over-ripening sets in.
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Store at room temperature, not refrigerated.
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Use within 2 weeks for best flavor and to prevent sprouting.
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Choose less susceptible varieties like modern hybrids.
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Avoid big temperature swings which can confuse seeds.
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Prevent ethylene build-up by avoiding overcrowding during storage.
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Eat cut tomatoes within a few days and keep refrigerated.
What Does Vivipary Look Like?
Depending on the variety, number of sprouted seeds, and how much they’ve grown, vivipary can look quite different. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it may seem abnormal or “creepy.”
Often, tomato seedlings will poke through the fruit wall and continue growing outside the tomato, distorting its appearance. Some people mistake this for worms or mutations, but it’s simply mature seeds sprouting naturally.
Are Sprouted Fruits Safe to Eat?
If there are no other issues with the fruit, seeds sprouting inside tomatoes, peppers, or other produce is perfectly safe to eat.
However, discard larger sprouting seeds from fruits like avocados and mangos. And sprouted potatoes should always be thrown out due to toxin risks.
So while visually unsettling, sprouted tomatoes pose no safety concerns. Vivipary is a natural phenomenon in overripe tomatoes. Storing tomatoes properly and consuming them within 2 weeks minimizes the chances of encountering surprise sprouts!
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By Carol Quish for UConn Extension
When you cut into a tomato, have you ever seen white, squiggly things inside? Those aren’t worms or aliens that made it to the center; they’re fruit seeds that have started to grow. It is called Vivipary, Latin for Live Birth. It is the term for plants that begin growing while still inside or attached to the mother plant. It is common in certain varieties of tomatoes, peppers, apple, pears, and some citrus.
Though this tomato was pretty old, it had been sitting on the counter for a while in a warm kitchen. Vivipary happens when the hormone controlling the seed dormancy is exhausted or runs out, letting the seed grow in the moist environment inside the fruit. This warm, moist environment is perfect for germinating seed to grow. If the tomato were left uncut in the warm conditions, the new plant sprout would eventually poke through skin of the now decomposing tomato. These new plants can be potted up and grow into a large tomato plant and even produce tomatoes. The tomato will not be a clone of the mother plant, because it grew from a seed that had to be pollinated by another tomato flower, introducing new parent genes into the seed that will produce the new plant. The tomatoes off of the plant are entirely edible and quite possibly delicious. Check out the seeds inside your fruit or vegetable the next time you slice into it.
Lee este blog en español:
https://blog.extension.uconn.edu/2020/04/21/semillas-brotando-dentro-de-un-tomate/
Can You Eat A Tomato With Seeds Sprouting Inside
FAQ
Can you eat a tomato with sprouted seeds inside?
While most of the time these are perfectly fine to eat, just to be safe (especially if the tomatoes are overripe), fruits with tomato vivipary should be grown into new plants or disposed of, not eaten.
Why are my tomato seeds sprouting inside the tomato?
Tomatoes naturally inhibit the growth of their seeds until the seeds are dried, however the inhibiting hormone weakens with age or refrigeration. The hormone breaks down, allowing the seeds to sprout while still inside the tomato. This is perfectly natural. Certain varieties are more prone to vivipary than others.
Can seeds germinate inside fruit?
Vivipary is the phenomenon that involves seeds germinating prematurely while they are still inside or attached to the parent plant or fruit. It occurs more often than you might think.