Tomatillo in Zone 6a & 6b
Physalis philadelphica
When to plant tomatillo in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b 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 | Mar 7–Mar 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 20–Jul 27 (~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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. 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 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tomatillo in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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