Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Solanaceae
Native
Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
Good for Containers
Growing Conditions
- Frost Sensitive
- Heat Tolerant
About Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo Seeds
Physalis philadelphica
3 ounce, green fruit inside a thin, papery husk
Planting Tomatillo
Days to Maturity
85 Days from transplanting
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Planting Depth
¼"
Coverage & Planting Details
| Coverage | This packet yields approximately 80 plants when started indoors. |
|---|---|
| Row Spacing | 36" |
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 18" |
| Thinning | When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 18" |
| Germination | 10 Days |
| Start Indoors | RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 80° – 85°F. |
| Direct Sow | 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 19 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
26 reviews
- NicoleVerified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars5/2/26No luck
I planted 5 or 6 seeds in small starter pots. Two started to grow and then stopped growing. Then they died about an inch tall. I haven't had any luck with these and I'm in zone 8a. I might try again next year.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/7/26Hey Nicole,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Terri M.WI, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/26/26Germinated well
I have started the tomatillo seeds indoors in 2 inch pots. Had great germination. The plants are growing quickly and look healthy.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - JamiRated 5 out of 5 stars12/16/255 Stars
Excited to try
- TeAnne C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/24/25Newbie Zone 9
These grew like crazy in my raised beds. I knew nothing about them, but they sprawled out and needed constant pruning as not to take over. My fruits have been small; not very big. They are still flowering and producing where I live (August) I created an awesome version of chili verde with my Botanical Interest chilies and tomatillos. My family loved it.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests8/26/25Hey TeAnne,
Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience with our Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo Seeds! We absolutely love hearing that they grew like crazy for you - tomatillos can definitely be vigorous growers and it sounds like yours really took off in those raised beds! You're spot on about them being sprawlers that need some management, and it's great that you figured out the pruning to keep them in check. Even though your fruits stayed on the smaller side, it sounds like they were perfect for what you needed! We're so thrilled to hear you created an awesome chili verde with your homegrown tomatillos and Botanical Interest chilies - there's nothing quite like cooking with your own fresh harvest, and it's wonderful that your family loved it! The fact that they're still flowering and producing in August shows what great care you've given them. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Abby F.Verified ReviewerRated 4 out of 5 stars8/6/25Beautiful plant, but I think I got the wrong one lol
Germination was a breeze, and my tomatillo has been growing strong and steady! I originally planted multiple, but a bad storm wiped out all but one, and I had to make an emergency run to a local farm for a second plant so that they could fruit. Luckily it's continued growing strong and is now big and beautiful! It's finally starting to fruit, but I'm realizing I might have somehow grown a purple tomatillo instead? I'm not completely sure, and I won't be able to know for certain until I can harvest some, but my plant has purple veins everywhere that the Grande Rio Verde doesn't seem to have. I got my seed packet from a local nursery, so it doesn't say "verified purchase" on my review, but I know I got the right packet. Either way, I'm happy to get some tomatillos, just a little confused😅.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests8/12/25Hello Abby,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are pleased to hear that your tomatillo plant has continued to grow strong and healthy despite the challenges you faced earlier in the season, including the storm damage. It is always encouraging to see a plant thrive under such circumstances.
We understand your concern regarding the purple veining and how it differs from the Grande Rio Verde variety description. While variations can sometimes occur due to growing conditions, we would like to review the details more closely to ensure you have the correct variety.
I have sent you an email so we can discuss this further. This will help us determine the next steps and provide you with the most accurate assistance possible.