Tomatillo plants are annual plants in the nightshade family that produce edible fruits. They have a distinct papery husk around the fruit, which is green when ripe. The plant grows to a height of about 2-4 feet and has green, hairy leaves. The flowers are yellow or purple and the fruit is typically 1-2 inches in diameter. Tomatillos are used in many Mexican dishes, including salsa verde and are high in vitamins C and A.
Planning Your Garden With Tomatilloes
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Tomatilloes are annual plants. |
| USDA Zone | Tomatilloes are generally hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Tomatilloes can tolerate temperatures as low as 32. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest tomatilloes is 55-70 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown tomatillo plant is about 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Tomatilloes prefer a spacing of 24-36 inches between plants. |
| Sun tolerance | Tomatilloes can tolerate full sun, but they prefer partial shade or filtered sunlight. They should be protected from the hottest afternoon sun as this can cause scorching. |
| Shade tolerance | Tomatilloes are considered to be full sun plants, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to produce fruit. They can tolerate some light shade, but too much shade can reduce fruit production. |
| Water requirements | Tomatilloes prefer consistently moist soil that is well-draining. They should be watered regularly, about 1-2 inches per week, and should never be allowed to dry out. During periods of drought, they may need more water. To avoid disease, water the base of the plant, not the foliage. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing tomatilloes depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply 1/2 to 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden area. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing tomatilloes is 6.0 to 6.8. |
Why Tomatilloes are Popular
People like to grow tomatilloes because they are easy to grow, productive, and have a unique flavor that is different from regular tomatoes. They are also a great addition to many dishes, from salads and salsas to sauces and soups.
Companion Plants For Tomatilloes
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for tomatilloes include:
Common Pests For Tomatilloes
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow tomatilloes, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- flea beetles
- potato beetles
- aphids
- whiteflies
- beetles
- tomato hornworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
