PlantSowGrowHow to grow Tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica
Tangy green fruits in papery husks, the base of Mexican salsa verde. Grows like a sprawling tomato — plant at least two for pollination.
At a glance: Sow mid February to mid March, harvest from mid July.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Tomatillo: what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 90 cm
- In pots
- Only in large containers
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 110 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Mid February – mid March · 8 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 7–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late February – early March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–14 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 90 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Mid March
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Mid April · 4 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Late April – late May · 2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 90 cm apart and water in well.
- 7–21 days after “Plant Out” · Early May – mid May
Add Support
Stake or cage the sprawling stems.
- 75–96 days after “Plant Out” · Mid July – early August
Start Harvesting
Pick when the fruit fills and splits the husk.
- 60–90 days after “Start Harvesting” · Mid September – mid October
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
