Tomatillos are unique fruits, closely related to tomatoes, recognized by the papery husk that completely encloses the developing fruit. Often called the Mexican husk tomato, the fruit offers a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that forms the foundation of classic green sauces like salsa verde. The entire process requires consistent attention to specific cultural needs for a complete yield. Understanding the full growth timeline is the primary step in successfully cultivating this summer crop.
Getting Started: Seeds, Transplants, and Pollination Needs
The initial stage depends on the chosen starting point: seed or transplant. Starting with seeds requires beginning the process indoors, typically six to eight weeks before the last expected spring frost date. Seedlings need to develop a strong root system before they are ready for the outdoor garden. Purchasing transplants bypasses this early indoor phase, allowing planting once the weather is reliably warm.
Plants must be placed outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed. Tomatillos thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, similar to tomatoes.
A critical factor in this initial setup is the necessity for cross-pollination to ensure fruit production. Tomatillos are not self-pollinating, meaning a single plant will not produce fruit reliably. It is necessary to plant at least two tomatillo plants, even of the same variety, to facilitate the transfer of pollen, generally carried out by insects like bees. If only one plant is grown, the flowers will bloom, but the result will be empty husks.
The Full Tomatillo Growth Timeline
The timeline begins once established transplants are set into the garden. The duration from transplanting outdoors to the first harvestable fruit typically spans 60 to 100 days, depending on the variety and local growing conditions. This period relies heavily on consistent warmth and sunlight.
Within three to four weeks, the plants produce small, yellow flowers. Successful pollination initiates the formation of the fruit inside the signature papery calyx, or husk. Fruit development inside the husk is rapid, taking several weeks to expand and fully fill the protective covering.
Tomatillos are indeterminate, meaning they continue to flower and set fruit until the first hard frost. This allows for multiple harvests over the summer and early fall.
Key Indicators of Harvest Readiness
The completion of the growth cycle is signaled by distinct visual and tactile changes in the fruit and its surrounding husk. The primary indicator of ripeness is the state of the papery calyx, which transitions from a tight, green enclosure to a tan, dry, and brittle texture. As the fruit inside reaches full size, it presses against the husk, often causing the structure to split open.
The mature fruit should completely fill the husk, feeling firm when gently squeezed through the shell. Most common varieties are a bright, glossy green color at peak ripeness, though some specialty varieties mature to shades of purple or yellow. Green varieties should be harvested before they turn yellow, which indicates over-ripeness and a loss of the characteristic tangy flavor.
When harvesting, a mature tomatillo will detach easily from the plant with a gentle twist and pull. The fruit may have a slightly sticky residue once the husk is removed, which is a natural characteristic.