Tomatillo Seeds

3 products

Bring bright, sweet-tart flavor to your kitchen with tomatillo seeds from David's Garden Seeds®. A longtime staple of Mexican cooking, tomatillos produce firm fruit inside distinctive papery husks. Their tangy flavor shines in salsa verde, roasted sauces and other garden-fresh dishes. Compare individual varieties for mature color, fruit size and days to maturity.

Why Grow Tomatillos?

Distinctive flavor: Enjoy a bright, tart character that adds depth to sauces and balances rich foods.
A salsa verde favorite: Roast or simmer harvested fruit with peppers, onion and herbs for a flavorful homemade sauce.
Easy-to-recognize husks: The lantern-like coverings make tomatillos a distinctive addition to the vegetable garden and provide a useful harvest cue as fruit fills them.
Different from green tomatoes: Tomatillos are a separate crop, not simply unripe tomatoes. Choose recipes and growing instructions intended for tomatillos.

Planting Tips for Success

Start indoors: Sow about 6–8 weeks before your intended transplant date. Provide warmth for germination and bright light after seedlings emerge.
Wait for warm conditions: Harden off seedlings gradually and transplant after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed.
Grow at least two plants: Tomatillos generally need cross-pollination between separate plants for reliable fruit set. Plant two or more seed-grown plants near one another and encourage pollinator visits.
Give plants room: Choose a sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil. Follow variety-specific spacing and use cages or stakes to help manage spreading branches.
Water consistently: Water at soil level as needed and mulch to conserve moisture. Avoid keeping the soil waterlogged.
Feed thoughtfully: Follow soil-test recommendations and fertilizer directions. Excess nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowering and fruiting.

When to Harvest Tomatillos

Watch the husks: Harvest when firm fruit fills its husk, often as the covering becomes papery or begins to split. Check the individual variety for its expected harvest color.
Choose for your recipe: Green tomatillos are commonly picked firm and tart for salsa verde. Flavor and color change with variety and maturity.
Prepare before cooking: Remove the papery husk and rinse the fruit to wash away its naturally sticky coating.
Pick regularly: Check plants often as fruit matures so your harvest stays suited to your preferred recipes.

Ways to Use Your Harvest

Roasted salsa verde: Roast tomatillos with peppers and onion, then blend with cilantro and seasoning.
Simmered sauces: Cook into sauces for enchiladas, tacos and other savory meals.
Fresh salsa: Finely chop or blend prepared fruit for a crisp, tangy accompaniment.
Freeze for later: Freeze husked, washed fruit or prepared sauce for future cooking.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.