Tomatillo

Solanaceae

CRITICAL: Plant 2+ plants MINIMUM — tomatillos are SELF-INCOMPATIBLE. Single plants flower profusely but set ZERO fruit. Two different varieties ideal. Sprawling 4-5 ft tall and wide — cage or stake. Very heavy yielder with minimal care. Drought/heat tolerant once established. Prolific self-seeder. ALL plant parts except ripe fruit inside husk are TOXIC.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

60–85 days

Sun

8+ hours

Container

Not Ideal

10+ gallon pot

Height

4–5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–12 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "

Needs Moderate

Resilience

Heat: Medium Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress, Compost tea, Fish emulsion

Harvest

Fruit fills husk, still green and firm. Sticky film on skin is normal — washes off.

Sources

university NC State Extension seed-catalog Territorial Seed university SDSU Extension university UMN Extension

More Vegetables

Tomatillo Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Tomatillo vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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