Tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica
Plant two for pollination; salsa verde follows.
Hardiness: zones 2 to 11
Light: full sun
Size: about 4 ft tall, 3 ft wide
Harvest: August to September
From: Mexico
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food.
Native to: Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean. Hardy in zones 2 to 11.
The story
Tomatillo, the husk tomato, was grown by the Aztec and Maya and is the base of Mexican green sauce; it has been in the milpa with corn and beans for 2,000 years. It is more reliable than tomato in a bad year.
Planting
Full sun, drained soil; set out two or more plants after frost, since one alone will not set fruit. Give them 3 feet and a cage; they sprawl.
Growing
Water modestly; it is tough. No feeding needed in decent soil. It self-sows where it is happy.
Harvest and use
Pick when the fruit fills and splits the papery husk, late summer on; husk, rinse off the sticky coat, and roast or boil for salsa verde.
What to watch for
Cucumber beetles, and plants flopping without support.
See if Tomatillo fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home