Tomatillo in Zone 9a & 9b
Physalis philadelphica
When to plant tomatillo in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 28–Jan 4 '27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 8–Mar 15 |
| Estimated harvest | May 12–May 19 (~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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tomatillo in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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