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

13 Aug 14, Angie (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know if tomatillo's can handle heat and humidity? I'm in Darwin and we can't grow many things in the wet season. Tomatoes are strictly dry season but egg plants will grow all year round, which is kind of ironic as they are both from the night shade family.
28 Oct 16, Sandra (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Angie I have been told by Paulina at Green Harvest that tomatillos, particularly the sweeter Tomatillo Purple is suitable for hot humid areas. I have just ordered some to try here near Port Douglas. I don't know if quarantine laws allow them to send seeds to NT... I think it is only plants that are restricted. Green Harvest under their 'Organic Seeds' section have a whole listing dedicated to plants to grow n Hot and Humid conditions. They also have a book 'Tropical Food Gardens' that details suitable plants and growing methods. Hope this helps.
03 May 14, Matt from Canberra (Australia - temperate climate)
I got my seeds of purple tomatillo posted to me from mudflower blog (living-mudflower.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/perennial-annual-vegetables-for-sale.html) and they are still producing a huge crop this year. They did not set fruit until the daytime temps dropped below 40. Prior to that they were flowering well but the heat dentaures the pollen proteins. Apparently they set fruit best when you grow more than one plant.
07 Apr 14, Rod (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have a good crop this year in Bowral NSW not noted as sub tropical. I found them easy to grow from seeds.
10 Jan 14, Nina (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some plants that I grew from the seeds of dried Inca berries. However, I'm yet to grow tomatillos. The seeds I planted didn't germinate. Not one! Have you had success with this fruit?
30 Aug 13, Katrina (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought my seeds from the seed collection website.
20 Aug 13, marajon (Australia - temperate climate)
can you help were to buy tomatillo seeds or plants and the best ones for this area
27 Jan 13, Andrew Charles (Australia - temperate climate)
Tomatillo, Cape gooseberry, husk tomato and ground cherry are different names used somewhat interchangeably for different plants in the Physalis genus of the nightshade family. Green Harvest in Qld sells three varieties of tomatillo seeds and the sweet Cape Gooseberry (greenharvest.com.au/SeedOrganic/VegetableSeeds/TomatilloToTurnip.html). Unfortunately Green Harvest's Physalis seeds can't be shipped to WA, and only the tomatillo varieties can be shipped to NSW. Chile Mojo is in SA, and can't ship tomatillo seeds to WA, neither can Diggers (although they will ship cape gooseberry seeds to NSW and also have another type of ground cherry). TAS and NT may also have quarantine restrictions for some species of Physalis from other states. Two different perennial species are banned from sale in NSW and VIC (and possibly WA) as noxious weeds and are subject to eradication or control measures—most other cultivated varieties found in Australia are classed as "weeds of cultivation" and now grow wild in all states, having been introduced with the very first European settlers.
16 Oct 12, BARRY WILLIS (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown the tomitilos before with seed bought from the USA, I can not find any one in Aussie Land that has these for sale,they make great Salsa and are nice in green salads.
17 Oct 12, salsa verde dreamer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Search on Ebay, you will find Aussie seeds.
Showing 41 - 50 of 62 comments

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