Husk Tomato
The Purple Coban Tomatillo is a stunning heirloom from the mountain town of Coban, Guatemala, where Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds collected the original seeds. These compact fruits average just 1 inch in diameter and wear a striking green base overlaid with a deepening dark purple blush as they mature, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. Ready to harvest in just 70 days, they thrive in full sun across hardiness zones 5-11 and will reward you with prolific harvests if you plant at least two plants for cross-pollination, as tomatillos are not self-fertile.
Full Sun
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5-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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This Guatemalan heirloom produces petite, jewel-toned fruits that are deeply embedded in traditional highland cuisine. The purple hue isn't just ornamental; it's a mark of the variety's authentic origin and cultural heritage. At 70 days to maturity, it's surprisingly quick for a tomatillo, and the compact 1-inch fruits pack serious flavor while fitting neatly into smaller garden spaces.
Purple Coban Tomatillos are primarily used fresh in salsas, where their tart flavor and firm flesh create the backbone of countless Guatemalan and Mexican-inspired sauces. They can be roasted to deepen their flavor, blended into soups, or cooked down into preserves. Their compact size makes them convenient for fresh eating out of hand, though they're most valued for their culinary applications in traditional dishes.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Seeds sprout in 7-14 days when kept at ideal temperatures of 75-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix, keep soil warm and moist, and provide bright light once seedlings emerge. Transplant to larger containers once they develop true leaves.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date, once soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Space plants 24 inches apart in full sun. Handle seedlings gently to avoid root damage, and plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers.
Wait until fruits reach their full 1-inch diameter and the purple hue has deepened throughout the fruit surface. The fruit should feel slightly firm when gently squeezed. In Guatemalan tradition, fruits are harvested when fully colored but still slightly firm; they can be picked with a gentle twist or by cutting the stem. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season.
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“The Purple Coban Tomatillo carries within it the story of Guatemala's mountain highlands. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds collected this variety directly in Coban, a beautiful mountain town in Guatemala's Verapaz region, preserving a tomatillo that had been woven into local food culture for generations. This direct sourcing from its place of origin distinguishes it as a true heirloom, not a modern creation, and underscores the importance of seed collectors who travel to origin regions to safeguard varieties that might otherwise be lost to agricultural consolidation.”