Purple Tomatillo Seeds

Purple Tomatillos are much like tomatoes and are often called husk tomatoes. Each fruit grows in a papery enclosure on a single stocked plant. They are prolific growers and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Most commonly used for salsa verde and other Hispanic dishes.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Tomatillos grow well in the extended warm season of Zones 9 and 10.

Zones 2-8

• Sow seeds in starter pots with a heating pad 5-6 weeks before the last frost. Transplant out after the danger of frost is gone.

Planting Purple Tomatillo Seeds

• Tomatillos seeds are easy to start with a few key things. Tomatoes germinate very slowly in cold soil. If you are starting your seeds early in the season you may want to use a heating mat to ensure the soil is warm enough for quick germination. Soil temperature should be 75-90°F.
• If you are planting seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on top of the soil and cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• If you plan to direct sow (not recommended), follow the same instructions for starter pots or plug trays.
• Once the seedlings have germinated and have a first set of true leaves be sure to fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer.
• Seedlings can be planted into the garden when they are 7-8 weeks old or 5-6″ tall and stocky.

Growing Purple Tomatillos

• Tomatillos are easy to grow. You”™ll likely get more tomatillos than you know what to do with!
• Tomatillo plants can become overloaded with fruit which will bend branches to the ground. Prune off excess fruits to keep the plant size manageable. Add light support if needed.
• A granular organic fertilizer added to the planting area is a good idea if your garden has poor nutrient content or if you are growing in a new raised bed.

Growing Purple  Tomatillos in Containers

• If you are planting purple tomatillos in containers, make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much.

Harvesting Tomatillos 

• Tomatillos are best harvested at peak ripeness. This is typically when fruits have burst out of their skins.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Mulch heavily around your tomatillo to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• During our hottest months of August, September, and October, plants can suffer from the heat. Using shade cloth can help protect the plants from extreme heat.
• In July and August keep an eye out for the tomato hornworm which feeds on plants in the Solanaceae family. This beautiful and slightly scary-looking large caterpillar can devour huge parts of your plant. You can find them by following their poop trails. Handpick them off and toss in a bucket of soapy water.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Tomatillo plants can get very large. For this reason, we recommend planting low lying plants around them. Flowers like gaillardia and scabiosa look great around tomatillo plants. Grow your purple tomatillos alongside the classic Tomatillos Verde.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to tomatillos at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.