How to Grow Tomatillo

Growing guide

Overview

Tomatillo is a warm-season husk tomato that produces tangy green fruit for salsa verde and green chutneys. Growers love it for its heavy yields once plants establish. It needs full sun, well-drained soil, moderate water, and cross-pollination from at least two plants.

Soil & planting prep

Tomatillos do best in fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soil with a pH around 6.0-7.0. Work compost into the bed before planting, and space plants 24-36 inches apart with rows about 3 feet apart. Set transplants at the same depth as their pots, or slightly deeper if the stems are leggy.

When to plant

Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Harden off seedlings and transplant only after all frost danger has passed and night temperatures stay above 50°F. Tomatillo is not frost-tolerant and is not a fall-planted crop.

How to plant

1. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, sowing them 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and keeping them warm for germination.
2. Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting after the last frost, once nights stay above 50°F.
3. Choose a full-sun spot with fertile, well-drained soil; space plants 24-36 inches apart.
4. Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot, water in well, and install a stake or cage at planting time.
5. Plant at least two tomatillo plants near each other so insects can cross-pollinate the flowers.

5 common mistakes to avoid

• Starting seeds too late causes fruit to set too close to fall frost; begin indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date so the 75-100-day crop can mature.
• Growing a single plant leads to flowers but almost no fruit because tomatillos are self-incompatible; always plant at least two.
• Transplanting too early into cold soil stunts or kills young tomatillos; wait until after the last frost and night temperatures stay above 50°F.
• Skipping support lets plants sprawl and puts fruit on the soil, where husks rot or slugs damage them; stake or cage at planting.
• Picking before the fruit fills the husk gives small, underripe fruit; wait until the husk splits and the fruit is firm and fills the papery wrapper.

Harvesting & storage

Tomatillos are ready about 75-100 days from transplant, when the fruit fills and begins to split its papery husk. Harvest by twisting or cutting the fruit into a basket, keeping the husk on. Store dry, unwashed tomatillos in their husks in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks, or husk and freeze them for longer storage.

Companion planting

Good companions include cilantro, basil, onions, carrots, and marigolds. Avoid planting tomatillos where tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants recently grew, because they share soil-borne pests and diseases.

Growing in containers

Tomatillos grow well in containers; use at least a 5-gallon pot per plant with quality potting mix, full sun, and a stake or cage. You still need at least two plants for pollination, so plan for two 5-gallon containers or one large planter with two plants.

Pro tips

Must grow at least two plants for fruit set — single plants rarely produce. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Support with stakes or cages. Harvest when husks split and fruit fills the husk. Prolific producer — expect more than you need.