How to Grow Tomatillo: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting date at frost-free set-out (USU). Transplant after frost. Direct sow as early as 2 weeks before last frost (USU). Footnote: SDSU starts 4–5 weeks before transplanting. Need ≥2 plants for fruit set.

Tomatillo at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Transplant: last frost; Direct sow: 2 wk before last frost
SunFull sun; well-drained (USU).
WaterAbout 1–2 inches water/week; moderately drought tolerant — don’t overwater.
SpacingUSU: seed ½ inch deep; hills 24–36 inches apart, rows 36 inches; transplants 2 ft apart, rows 3 ft; plants about 3–4 ft tall/wide.
Days to harvest60–75 days from transplant (USU)
-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica / P. ixocarpa) — Mexican husk tomato. Not the same as green tomatoes.

Tomatillos in husks
Tomatillos in husks (Physalis philadelphica). Photo: Genet, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Planting timing

USU: start indoors 6–8 weeks before planting date; transplant or seed directly after danger of frost has passed. “Seeds can be planted directly in the garden two weeks before the last frost.” With black plastic mulch, plant about two weeks before last frost. Soils warmer than 60°F. Harvest 60–75 days from transplanting. (USU tomatillos) Footnote: SDSU starts indoors 4–5 weeks before transplanting (a week or two later than tomatoes); transplant when all frost danger has passed. (SDSU tomatillo) Planner: Start indoors last frost −8 to −6; Transplant 0; Direct sow −2.

Depth and spacing

USU: seed ½ inch deep; hills 24–36 inches apart, rows 36 inches; transplants 2 ft apart, rows 3 ft; plants about 3–4 ft tall/wide. SDSU: about 3 ft between plants; plant deeply like tomatoes; trellis/cage.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun; well-drained (USU). About 1–2 inches water/week; moderately drought tolerant — don’t overwater. Need insect pollination; plant ≥2 plants (USU/SDSU).

Care

Stake/cage (USU). Pinch tips to limit spread. Avoid excess nitrogen (delays fruit — USU; we omit printed rates). Rotate yearly. Wash sticky fruit under the husk before use.

Harvest

60–75 days from transplant (USU). Ripe when fruit is firm and fills the husk; green→yellow overripe. Fruit may drop — gather and finish in husk. Continues until frost.

Pests and diseases

USU: generally resistant; aphids — soap or water stream; flea beetles on seedlings; powdery mildew — air circulation, dry foliage; viruses — control aphids, destroy infected plants; root rots — don’t overwater. Soft-bodied pests: soap/oil as labeled.

Related: all grow guides · ZIP planner · organic pest control · ground cherry

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant tomatillos?

Start −8 to −6; transplant 0 after frost. Direct sow as early as −2 (USU). SDSU uses a shorter indoor start.

Why empty husks?

Need multiple plants for pollination; heat/drought stress (USU).

Same as green tomatoes?

No (USU FAQ).

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources