Toma Verde is the essential tomatillo for authentic salsa verde, delivering medium to large green fruits in just 60 days from transplant (though some sources report 70-79 days for full maturity). This early bearing variety transforms from tart to sweetly complex as it ripens, wrapped in its signature papery husks that split open when ready. Growing 24-48 inches tall with a determinate habit, this open-pollinated heirloom thrives in full sun and produces abundantly across diverse growing conditions.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
5-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
—
Width
24 in
Spacing
60–60
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
5-11
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Low
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Highlights
This prolific green tomatillo excels where others struggle, showing remarkable tolerance to drought, heat, cold, and nutrient-poor soils once established. The flat-round fruits develop that characteristic slight skin stickiness when perfectly ripe, signaling peak flavor for roasting or fresh salsa preparation. Early harvest timing makes it ideal for shorter growing seasons, while its heavy-setting nature ensures plenty for both fresh use and preservation.
Common Uses
This tomatillo excels in classic salsa verde preparation, where its tart flavor balances perfectly with peppers and onions. The fruits are ideal for roasting to develop deeper, more complex flavors in cooked sauces, and their firm texture holds up beautifully in canning applications. Fresh fruits can be processed into various Mexican dishes or preserved through freezing for year-round salsa making.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds in 50-cell trays 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, planting 1/4 inch deep. Seeds typically germinate within 7-10 days when kept consistently moist. Can also be sown tightly in flats and potted up as seedlings develop.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, typically 1-2 weeks later than your earliest tomatoes when soils have warmed. Plant deeply to encourage adventitious rooting, spacing 24-36 inches apart depending on your trellising system.
Direct Sow
Can be direct sown after frost when soils have warmed, planting 1/4 inch deep with 18-24 inch spacing in rows 24-36 inches apart.
Harvesting
Harvest when the papery husks turn tan and begin to split naturally, or when fruits feel full and firm inside their husks. The slight skin stickiness that develops is completely normal and indicates peak ripeness. Pick fruits when husks are dry and splitting for immediate use, as this signals optimal flavor development and proper maturity.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Physalis philadelphica Lam. var. immaculata Waterf.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Physalis
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Determinate
Native Status
L48 (I)HI (I)CAN (I)