How to grow Tomatillo in Australia
Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) is a sprawling summer plant from Mexico, a relative of the tomato and cape gooseberry. Its round fruit, green or purple, grows inside a papery husk and has a sharp, citrusy flavour, the basis of salsa verde. Grow it like a tomato, but always plant at least two or three, as a single plant sets little fruit.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Tomatillos in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to November | Sow from September to November. Starting in September protects plants in hinterland frost pockets, as for tomatoes. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | August to November | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | September to November | Sow indoors or under cover in September once frosts finish in mid September, or direct Oct to Nov once the soil warms. Grow at least two plants for pollination. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to November | |
| Perth & WA | August to October | Sow Aug to Oct, indoors in August. Plant two for pollination and get fruit set before the January heat. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Sow indoors with warmth Sep to Nov and plant out after the last frost in early October. Grow at least two plants for pollination; a warm sheltered spot helps in cool summers. |
| Canberra & ACT | October and November | Start seed indoors or under cover in October, then plant out after the last frost in early November. Grow at least two plants for pollination. |
| North Queensland | April to August | Dry season only. Sow Apr to Aug, the same as tomatoes. Wet season plants rot. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to July | Dry season only. Sow Apr to Jul, the same as tomatoes. Wet season plants rot. |
Not to be confused with: Cape Gooseberry, a close relative with small, sweet, golden fruit in a similar husk. Tomatillos are larger, green or purple, and tangy.
Where to plant
Tomatillos need full sun and warm, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. They grow to about 1 to 1.5 m and sprawl if not supported, so stake or cage them, especially in rainy areas where husks on the ground rot.
They are frost tender and need the same warm season as tomatoes. Plant two or more near each other for cross-pollination.
- South East Queensland, Sydney and Adelaide: sow from August to November. The Northern Rivers: September to November.
- Melbourne: sow under cover in September once frosts finish, or directly in October and November once the soil warms.
- Perth: sow from August to October, indoors in August, so fruit sets before the January heat.
- Hobart and Canberra: start seed indoors with warmth (September to November in Hobart, October in Canberra) and plant out after the last frost. Give them a warm, sheltered spot.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, from April to August (to July in Darwin), as wet season plants rot.
How to plant
- Sow seed about 0.5 cm deep in punnets of seed-raising mix in a warm, sunny spot, about six weeks before your last frost.
- Keep the mix moist. Seedlings appear in one to two weeks in warm conditions.
- Plant out when seedlings are about 7 cm tall and the soil is warm, about 60 cm apart.
- Put in a stake or cage at planting time.
- Plant at least two or three plants close together so bees can cross-pollinate them.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and mulch to hold moisture. Water at the base.
Dig in compost or an organic fertiliser before planting, and give a liquid feed every week or two once flowering starts. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which gives lots of leaf and fewer fruit.
Pruning and care through the year
- Tie stems to the stake or cage as they grow, or let them sprawl over straw mulch in dry areas.
- Encourage bees: tomatillos are largely self-incompatible and rely on insects carrying pollen between plants. Few fruit, or empty husks, usually mean poor pollination.
- Pick up fallen fruit. Tomatillo can self-seed, and Physalis species are environmental weeds in some parts of Australia, so check with your local council if you live near bushland.
Harvesting
Fruit is ready about 12 weeks from sowing, when it has filled out its husk and the husk splits open and turns papery and brown. Green types are picked while still green and firm; purple types colour as they ripen. A single plant can produce a heavy crop through summer.
Leave the husks on for storage. Tomatillos keep for two weeks or more in the fridge in a paper bag, and they freeze well whole or as sauce.
Growing in pots
Tomatillos can grow in a large pot at least 50 cm wide with a stake or cage. Grow two pots side by side for pollination, and water often in summer.
Using it
Remove the husks and rinse off the sticky coating. Tomatillos taste tangy, like a cross between a green tomato and a lime. Use them raw in salsas, or roast, grill or simmer them for salsa verde, enchilada sauces and stews. Use ripe fruit only.
Saving seed
Let a few fruit ripen fully, then scoop out the seed, rinse it in a sieve, dry it on paper and store it in a cool, dry place.
Varieties
- Toma Verde
- Purple
Companion planting
Tomatillos share the summer bed with the herbs that go into the same dishes, and flowers nearby bring in the bees they need.
Good companions
- Basil A summer herb with the same warm-season needs.
- Coriander The other key salsa verde ingredient; sow it in the cooler edges of the season.
- Marigold Bright flowers that bring in pollinators and beneficial insects.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to tomatillo.
- Fennel Often listed as a poor neighbour for most vegetables.
Pests and diseases
Tomatillos are fairly disease resistant but share some tomato pests.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters on shoot tips and under leaves.
- Whitefly Tiny white insects under the leaves that fly up when disturbed.
- Fruit fly Soft, rotting fruit with maggots inside, in fruit fly areas.
- 28-spotted ladybird Spotted orange beetles and spiny larvae scraping the leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Wilt Plants wilt and yellow even though the soil is moist. Remove affected plants and rotate the bed, as with tomatoes.
Common questions
Why is my tomatillo not producing fruit?
Tomatillos need cross-pollination, so a single plant sets few fruit or empty husks. Grow at least two or three plants close together and encourage bees with flowers nearby.
How do I know when tomatillos are ripe?
When the fruit fills the husk and the husk splits and turns papery and brown. Green types are picked while still green and firm.
When should I plant tomatillos?
At the same time as tomatoes: late winter and spring in most regions, and in the dry season in the tropics. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
What do tomatillos taste like?
Tangy and fresh, a little like a green tomato with a squeeze of lime. They are the main ingredient in salsa verde.
Can tomatillos become a weed?
They can self-seed from fallen fruit, and Physalis species are environmental weeds in some parts of Australia. Pick up fallen fruit and check with your local council if you live near bushland.
Do tomatillos need staking?
They grow better staked or caged, especially in wet areas where husks on the ground rot. In dry areas they can sprawl over straw mulch.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow tomatillos; Gardening Australia: Plant profile, tomatillos.