Physalis spp.

Tomatillos & Ground Cherries

Grow your own tangy, vibrant tomatillos with our step-by-step guide—learn planting, care, and harvest tips to enjoy fresh, flavorful fruits straight from your garden.

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The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 70–90°F
Seed Depth ¼"
Days to Emergence 6–14
Soil Temp for Transplant 55°F
Plant Spacing 18-36"
Row Spacing 3–4'
Fertilizer Needs High
Minimum Germination 75%
Seeds per Gram ≈ 60-65 seeds per 1/8 gram. ≈ 500 seeds per gram
Seed Life 3 years

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More About The Seeds & Plants

More About

Physalis spp.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of transplant.

Culture
• Fertile, well drained, raised beds covered with plastic mulch promote early growth and better yields
• Tomatillos & Ground Cherries are high feeders and will benefit from regular fertilization with Age Old Bloom
• Overwatering can cause fruit to crack

Direct Sowing
• Not recommended

Transplanting
• Sow seeds in trays 6-8 weeks before anticipated transplant date; transplant into 3-4 inch pots when the first set of true leaves appears
• Strong light and cooler temperatures (60-70°F) prevent plants from getting leggy
• Fertilize with Age Old Grow every 10-14 days
• When transplanting work in compost, 1/2 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer, and handful of bone meal
• Can be buried up to the top 2 sets of leaves
• Use Kozy-Coats or Victorian Bell Cloches to protect young plants

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Flea beetles and tomato hornworms
• Insect control: Pyrethrin or row cover for flea beetles, and Monterey B.t. for tomato hornworms
• Common diseases: Early and late blight
• Disease prevention: A strict 3-4 year rotation, remove vines at the end of the year, fungicide

Harvest & Storage
• Tomatillos: ripe when papery husk has dried up or folded back to reveal plump fruit
• Ground Cherries: ripe fruit will fall to the ground
• Do not refrigerate for best flavor

Seed Count
• Tomatillo: approximately 60-65 seeds per 1/8 gram, about 500 seeds per gram
• Ground cherry: approximately 150 seeds per 1/8 gram, about 1200 seeds per gram; 7 grams per 1/4 ounce

Staff Picks

Shop our Favorite Tomatillos & Ground Cherries

Bursting with bright, tangy flavor, Aunt Molly’s tomatillos are our "employee favorite," perfect for salsas and sauces. The plants are vigorous and easy to grow, producing abundant, consistent harvests. Their dependable performance and exceptional taste make them a standout in any garden.

AUNT MOLLY'S

Vegetable | ground cherry

From $4.95

65-70 days. When ripe, the fruit turns a golden orange color and drops to the ground. It makes a tasty jam, perfect for gift giving. An unusual and rewarding addition to fruit salads and smoothies. Will store up to 3 months in the husk. Aunt Molly’s came to us as an unnamed line. Territorial selected and released it as Aunt Molly’s, named after Tom and Julie’s first business Aunt Molly’s Ice Cream Treats.