Tomatillo Seeds – Non-GMO Heirloom

The tangy, husked fruits worth a spot in your garden

Tomatillos and their ground cherry cousins are the husk-wrapped members of the nightshade family, grown for small round fruit wrapped in a papery lantern. The Grande Rio Verde tomatillo is the classic green, tart fruit behind salsa verde and green enchilada sauce, while the Ground Cherry, or cape gooseberry, ripens golden and sweet with a flavor closer to pineapple and tomato. Both grow on relaxed, spreading plants that ask very little and give a lot.

How to grow tomatillos from seed

Grow tomatillos much like tomatoes. Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant into full sun once the weather is warm and settled. One important thing: tomatillos need at least two plants to set fruit well, since they rely on cross-pollination. Give them room to sprawl or a sturdy cage. For the full step-by-step, see our Grande Rio Verde tomatillo growing guide and our Ground Cherry, cape gooseberry guide.

How to use tomatillos and ground cherries

Tomatillos are built for the kitchen. Roast or simmer them for salsa verde, green sauces, and stews, where their tartness brightens everything around it. Ground cherries go the other way, sweet enough to eat out of hand, tossed into salads, or cooked into jams and pies. A tomatillo is ripe when it fills and splits its husk; a ground cherry is ready when the husk dries to tan and the fruit drops.

Tomatillos and their salsa-garden cousins

Tomatillos are the heart of a salsa garden, so plant the rest of it too. Add Tomato Seeds for the red side of the salsa bowl, plus Hot Pepper Seeds for heat and cilantro from our herb range for the finish. Explore the whole plot in our Vegetable Seeds collection.

Why buy tomatillo seeds from Organo Republic

Every packet of seed we sell is non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom, and germination tested, so you can sow with confidence. As a U.S.-based licensed seed dealer, we work directly with trusted growers to keep quality high and prices low, and every pack carries a QR code that links straight to free online growing guidance. Orders over $49 ship free. Whether you want a single pack of tomatillos or a full salsa garden, you will find dependable, easy-to-grow seed here.