Growing Tomatillo

Physalis ixocarpa : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Tomatillo in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 21°C and 27°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 70 cm 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

20 Jan 16, Lorraine (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
You can buy the tomatillo seeds online from www.seedsforafrica.co.za
11 Jan 16, Rory Derrick (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Hi there, from what you are explaining there it sounds like the fruit that they called tomatillo, it is a relative to the tomatoes, they are used in the making of the green Mexican style salsa type of topping sauce.
21 Dec 15, lj (Australia - temperate climate)
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
30 Oct 15, Harry (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can get seeds from either Livingseeds or Seeds for Africa. Livingseeds currently also selling the seedlings.
13 Oct 15, Rosemary brown (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi...Tomatillo seeds can be purchased by mail from Yilgarn drylands permaculture in Western Australia...have just planted & am waiting . Rosie
07 Oct 15, Merv (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought a packet of seeds from Bunnings here in Mildura. They cost about $4 and are packed in Australia. the back of the pack says to use before august 2018. more at www.johnsons-seeds.com.au
10 Sep 15, Rodney (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I get Tomatillo Seeds in Benoni / Johannesburg area?
04 Mar 16, Tom (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Flora farm on the east rand also builders warehouse have them
04 May 15, Clare Pienaar (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy tomatillo seeds or plants in White River / Nelspruit Mpumalanga ?
04 Sep 14, S.R. Weeks (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I had a volunteer (a.k.a. "weed") tomatillo-like plant sprout up in my garden. It has grown to be approximately 3 ft. high, same foliage as shown above & has pointed lantern shaped papery outer coverings around a small green tomato-like fruits. Is this edible? Would the Cape Gooseberries be edible?
Showing 61 - 70 of 101 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Tomatillo

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. Gardenate 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.