How to grow tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica · Solanaceae · Vegetable
When to plant tomatillos: the short answer
Start seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week after it. Wait until the soil is at least 70°F; tomatillos sprout fastest near 82°F.
Zone 5: plant out Apr 30 – May 17. Zone 7: plant out Apr 5 – Apr 22. Zone 9: plant out Feb 20 – Mar 9. See every zone.
Tomatillo is a warm-season vegetable in the Solanaceae family, usually started indoors and set out as transplants. It wants full sun (six or more hours of direct light) and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 75–100 days. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed and the soil has warmed.
Grower’s note: Grow at least two plants - tomatillos are not self-fertile. Fruit is ready when it swells to fill and split its papery husk and drops from the plant. Big, sprawling and vigorous, so cage or stake it.
Sowing
Sow about 0.25″ deep, into soil between 70–90°F — germination is quickest near 82°F. Germination takes a week or two (7–14 days). For an early crop, start seed indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost and grow it under bright light.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 30″ along the row with roughly 36″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is one plant per 2 square feet. Allow at least 18″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 16″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
Tomatillo needs roughly 75–100 frost-free days to crop. Where the season is shorter than that, start it indoors and choose the earliest-maturing varieties, or grow it in a container you can move under cover on cold nights. In long, hot-summer regions it can often be planted twice — once in spring and again in mid-to-late summer for a fall harvest.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long tomatillos take to grow
From seed to first harvest takes roughly 19-22 weeks: about 8 weeks as a seedling indoors, then 75-100 days in the garden.
When to plant tomatillo
When to plant tomatillos by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 9 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
Companions
Bell Pepper, Basil
No strong antagonists recorded.
Common problems
Pests: three-lined potato beetle, flea beetle, tomato hornworm.
Diseases & disorders: early blight, mosaic virus.
Same family (Solanaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant tomatillos?
Start seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week after it. Wait until the soil is at least 70°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long do tomatillos take to grow?
About 75-100 days from transplanting to the first harvest, or roughly 19-22 weeks from sowing the seed indoors. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
How much sun do tomatillos need?
They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day.
What soil pH do tomatillos need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant tomatillos?
Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, or one plant per 2 square feet in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep.
Can I grow tomatillos in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 16 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.