Tomatillo in Zone 10a & 10b
Physalis philadelphica
When to plant tomatillo in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Tomatillo needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Dec 12–Dec 19 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 20–Feb 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 26–May 3 (~65 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Tomatillo is a tomato relative grown for its tart, green (or purple) fruit, each wrapped in a papery husk. It's a staple of salsa verde and green chili, and it grows a lot like a sprawling, vigorous tomato plant.
How tomatillo fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Tomatillo needs about 65 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Tomatillo.
Where to buy tomatillo seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tomatillo" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tomatillo in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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