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: 20 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?
27 reviews
- Bree H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/16/26Vigorous plants!
I’ve never grown tomatillos before and I’m impressed with their vigor and durability. They survived some late frosts and they’ve thrived in some very hot weather since then. I live in the high desert of eastern Oregon and these have been pretty rewarding so far. Too soon to review the fruit but so far they are covered in flowers and looks like I’ll have plenty of salsa verde to put away for the winter.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests7/17/26Hey Bree,
We're so happy to hear about your incredible experience with the Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo Seeds! It's awesome that they've been so vigorous and durable for you as a first-time tomatillo grower - surviving those late frosts and then thriving in the hot high desert conditions just shows how tough and reliable these plants really are! And we're totally excited for you seeing all those flowers - that's such a great sign that you're going to have an amazing salsa verde harvest to stock up for winter! There's nothing better than plants that deliver on their promise of being rewarding, especially when you're growing in challenging conditions like eastern Oregon's high desert! Thanks for sharing your Grande Rio Verde growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- 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 🌻️