Growing Tomatillo

Physalis ixocarpa : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                    S  
                      T

(Best months for growing Tomatillo in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 70°F and 81°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 28 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-14 weeks. Husk splits when fruit is ripe..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Will happily grow in a flower border

Your comments and tips

11 Sep 17, Bru (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Mara. You could try Hillside Herbs at Mclaren Vale. I get most of my herbs/veg from these guys. Always healthy plants and good knowledgeable service. If they don't have any, they may at least know where to get some.
11 Sep 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
You can try some of the nurseries around Adelaide; Garden Grove or Virginia Nursery could have them. Otherwise, the Seed Collection lists tomatillo seeds online, but is currently out of stock.
11 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Internet - Boondie Seeds - type in Tomatillo in the search box in top right hand corner.
03 Sep 17, Kate Frawley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just bought one tomatillo plant as part of a mixed punnet from Bunnings. Dies this mean I wont get fruit as I read they are not self pollinators
14 Nov 17, Cassi (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi kate can you give me a couple more details please - like which bunnings and can you remember which brand the punnet was etc? I need tomatillos to harevst for early jan and out of the 7 seeds i planted only one is still alive :( I need to find already growing seedlings now....and yes everything i read says they dont self pollinate :(
10 Sep 17, Sue Dietrich (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought seed packets from Bunnings Traralgon. I have about 30 growing. Kate, how did yours fare? I did read you can prune them after four leaves appear. this is my first attempt
04 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
That is what it says. Need to buy one or some more plants.
17 Apr 17, Judy Badenhorst (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Are Tomatillo plants perennial like the Cape Gooseberry? do they need cutting back? Many thanks Judy I have grown many tree tomatoes from seed having chosen the really rip fruit with dark red brown seeds.
21 Nov 16, Luis Da Graca (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Good Day I am from cape town and would like to know if there are any one here or in the rest south africa that will supply me with Tomatillo's. not seeds. the full grown tomatillos thanking you luis
01 Nov 16, Donald Ellison (Australia - temperate climate)
Where to by tomarilla seed or plants
Showing 41 - 50 of 101 comments

tomatillo seeds and cape gooseberry seeds are available in the seeds of the world series at Bunnings, both grow readily from seed but best in seed raising mix until planting out. Then they go crazy in Sydney near the coast, up to 1.5m high and wide. They need staking and plenty of support as stems are not woody and split easily when full of fruit. I've got a great crop about ready to harvest and a real Mexican friend coming to show some cooking techniques and recipes. You can get 20-100 tomatillos from one plant over a few months. Gooseberries are a bit smaller but sweet and juicy when the case around the fruit goes brown and the fruit turns yellow-orange

- lj

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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