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Purple tomatillos are uniquely beautiful and rare to find. They’re small and round like a golf ball,
with an average diameter of one or two inches at maturity. Like all tomatillos, the Purple tomatillo
is encased in a papery husk, which turns from green to brown and splits open as the fruit matures.
The fruit itself starts out pale green and ripens to a deep violet color, and that rich purple skin
coloring bleeds into its bright green interior flesh. Purple tomatillos have a tangy-sweet taste, much
sweeter than their green counterparts, with citrus-like hints and sub-acid flavors of plum and pear.
The semi-determinate, heavily branched plants have dark green leaves with striking purple veins, grow
to an average of just three feet, and produce high yields of this exceptional fruit.
Planting Season
Warm
Soil Temp
65° F+
Planting Depth
1/4"
Area to Sow
100' row
Days to Germ.
3-10+
Days to Maturity
65+
Best Planting Method
Transplant
Thin to
?3" apart
Final Spacing
?24" apart
Planting by Zones
Zones 9-10
Tomatillos grow well in the extended warm season of Zones 9 and 10.
Zones 2-8
Sow seeds in starter pots with a heating pad 5-6 weeks before the last frost. Transplant
out after the danger of frost is gone.
Planting Purple Tomatillo Seeds
Tomatillos seeds are easy to start with a few key things. Tomatoes germinate very slowly
in cold soil. If you are starting your seeds early in the season you may want to use a
heating mat to ensure the soil is warm enough for quick germination. Soil temperature
should be 75-90°F.
If you are planting seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality
seed starting soil. Place seeds on top of the soil and cover with 1/4? of finely sifted soil.
If you plan to direct sow (not recommended), follow the same instructions for starter pots
or plug trays. Once the seedlings have germinated and have a first set of true leaves be
sure to fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer.
Seedlings can be planted into the garden when they are 7-8 weeks old or 5-6? tall and stocky.
Growing Purple Tomatillos
Tomatillos are easy to grow. You”™ll likely get more tomatillos than you know what to do with!
Tomatillo plants can become overloaded with fruit which will bend branches to the ground.
Prune off excess fruits to keep the plant size manageable. Add light support if needed.
A granular organic fertilizer added to the planting area is a good idea if your garden has
poor nutrient content or if you are growing in a new raised bed.
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