Botanical Interests
Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo Seeds
Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo Seeds
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Product Details
Product Details
Tomatillos are essential to a wide variety of Mexican foods. 'Grande Rio Verde' yields ripe fruit nearly all at once on compact plants (about 24" tall), thus lending themselves to smaller spaces or containers. A shorter harvest window is ideal for canning or freezing your favorite tomatillo-based sauces, or you can simply freeze tomatillos for use later. Tomatillos thrive in growing conditions similar to tomatoes (because they are related) but will handle a lot more heat. Grow two or more plants to ensure good pollination.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 85 Days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Native: Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 24" tall and about as wide
Variety Info: 3 ounce, green fruit inside a thin, papery husk
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Heat Tolerant, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 80° – 85°F.
Days to Emerge: 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Row Spacing: 36"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 18"
- Abby F.Verified ReviewerRated 4 out of 5 starsAug 6, 2025Beautiful plant, but I think I got the wrong one lol
Germination was a breeze, and my tomatillo has been growing strong and steady! I originally planted multiple, but a bad storm wiped out all but one, and I had to make an emergency run to a local farm for a second plant so that they could fruit. Luckily it's continued growing strong and is now big and beautiful! It's finally starting to fruit, but I'm realizing I might have somehow grown a purple tomatillo instead? I'm not completely sure, and I won't be able to know for certain until I can harvest some, but my plant has purple veins everywhere that the Grande Rio Verde doesn't seem to have. I got my seed packet from a local nursery, so it doesn't say "verified purchase" on my review, but I know I got the right packet. Either way, I'm happy to get some tomatillos, just a little confused😅.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningAug 12, 2025Hello Abby,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are pleased to hear that your tomatillo plant has continued to grow strong and healthy despite the challenges you faced earlier in the season, including the storm damage. It is always encouraging to see a plant thrive under such circumstances.
We understand your concern regarding the purple veining and how it differs from the Grande Rio Verde variety description. While variations can sometimes occur due to growing conditions, we would like to review the details more closely to ensure you have the correct variety.
I have sent you an email so we can discuss this further. This will help us determine the next steps and provide you with the most accurate assistance possible.
- Mary T.Rated 5 out of 5 starsJul 13, 20245 Stars
Started the seeds on my covered porch in zone 9b and all my tomatoes germinated in 4 days!!! Can't wait to keep experimenting with different varieties!
- Clay C.Verified BuyerRated 3 out of 5 starsJun 2, 20243 Stars
Germination rate not real good. Planted 3 seeds starting them indoors and only got one plant. The plant looks good and we will see how well it produces
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Amy J.Rated 5 out of 5 starsJan 2, 20245 Stars
All seeds germinated and the plants were a beautiful addition to our garden. We canned some delicious salsa verde… everyone wanted it! Definitely have to make more this season!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - TeAnne C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsAug 24, 2025Newbie 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? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningAug 26, 2025Hey 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 🌻️
