Tomatillos, the cousins of tomatoes that are husked and tangy most commonly found in salsa verde. The tropical Mexican fruit thrives in the same warm, sunny conditions as tomato plants.
When planting tomatillos, choosing a location with rich, well-drained soil and lots of sunlight is essential.
How much sun do they need? Can they survive partial shade? We’ll explore the light requirements of tomatillos and a few warning signs that they may not get enough sunlight.
The Answer in Detail
Tomatillo plants require at least six hours of direct sun daily for healthy growth. You may only get salsa verde-husked fruit if you have enough sunlight. Tomatillos should be planted in full sunlight in northern climates.
Southern growers may be able to get away with adding a little more shade in the summer heat. Tomatillos will tolerate some shade but not thrive. Insufficient light can cause pale yellowing of the leaves, stunted stems, and fruitless production.
Tomatillos are native to Mexico and thrive in hot, sunny climates. The husked fruit is a member of the Solanaceae, a family that loves the sun and includes tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
The Latin root Sol is “sun,” explaining why the Solanaceae loves to soak in those golden, vibrant rays.
Physalis Longifolia is the wild ancestor of our garden tomatillos. You can find it in dry fields, pastures, and wild meadows. It even grows in roadside ditches.
This (toxic) wild nightshade grows so aggressively in disturbed, hot, and sunny areas that it’s considered a noxious plant in California! The garden tomatillo variety is more docile and is often planted in salsa gardens. However, it still desires to soak up all the sunshine possible.
What Tomatillos grow best?
Tomatillos are best grown in direct sunlight with rich soil. They can be perennials in zones 10 and 11. In USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, and 8, they can thrive as an annual.
Northern gardeners should pay greater attention to the sun’s solar angle (direction) throughout the growing seasons. Google Earth Pro can be used to track the sun’s shadow over your garden and home at different times of the year.
Old-timers prefer to observe from the porch. Remember that morning and nighttime shade can reduce the 6 hours of growth time your tomatillos need.
Tomatillos should be planted in temperate climates in late spring or early Summer once the risk of frost is over and the sun has risen higher in the sky. A better sun exposure will help to produce more fruit and a greater yield.
In the spring, plants might need protection from cold weather (like a row cover or low tunnel). You don’t need to worry about the heat insulation affecting your plants’ exposure to sunlight. Use a polyethylene plastic or thin, lightweight rows cover to ensure maximum light transmission.
Growing in Partial Shadow
Tomatillos can tolerate some shade but will grow slower. Shaded tomatillos might produce fewer flowers and fruits than plants that are grown in full sunlight.
Tomatillos will not bear fruit in shallow light conditions because photosynthesis is hampered, and the plant can’t support fruit development.
You can still plant tomatillos if the sunniest parts of your garden have already been occupied. Just choose an area in which you will receive some shade either morning or afternoon. Growers in the South with hot summers are best suited to shaded tomatillos.
Northern gardeners should prune nearby trees or shrubs that block sunlight. Planting indeterminate varieties and building a trellis can encourage plants to climb upwards for better light exposure.
Signs Your Tomatillo Needs More Sunlight
If you are growing tomatillos in a patio container, indoors, or in your garden, you will know when you don’t have enough light. Insufficient sunlight can cause the following symptoms:
Troubleshooting
Tomatillos can reach 4 feet in height or more! It’s likely that your plants don’t reach their full potential because they need more sunlight, drainage, or fertilizer. Water, pests, or diseases could be a problem. Tomatillo’s issues can be caused by the following:
More sunlight Tomatillos require 6-8 hours of direct sun every day.
Poor drainage : Tomatillos also need well-drained ground. The tomatillos do not thrive in soils that are heavy with clay or are waterlogged, leading to diseases like root rot.
Low fertility : Tomatillos need a moderately rich soil. Compost and all-purpose fertilizer are great to add when planting.
Too much water: Tomatillos do not like “wet” feet in the root zone. Overwatering can lead to yellow leaves, root decay, and stunted plant growth.
Too little water: Tomatillos can tolerate drought but are not invincible. Tomatillos require about one inch of water per week. Lack of irrigation can lead to undersized fruits and plants. It is especially true when it comes to fruit growth. Inconsistent watering, particularly of the “feast-or-famine” type, can lead to damaged or cracked fruit or smaller fruit. Water your plants consistently so that they don’t experience sudden changes in moisture levels.
Insects and diseases If you notice that your tomatillo has yellow or brown spots or large amounts of missing leaves, it may be due to an insect or fungus. Look out for leaf spots, caterpillars, which usually attack other solanaceous crops, and small sucking insects like aphids and thrips.
Final Thoughts
Planting these tasty fruits in a sunny, bright location will help you avoid many problems. If you have determined that your tomatillo plant is not getting enough sunlight, moving it to a more sunny spot is the fastest way to save it.
The process is simple; plants usually bounce back in a few days! Plants recover faster when they are younger. Save your tomatillos from the shade:
Lift the plant gently from the soil using a trowel or a shovel.
Avoid root damage by digging at least 6″ away from the base of the plant.
To protect the roots, place the plant in a pot.
Make sure the area is well-lit and has a good drainage system.
Compost is a great way to amend your garden.
Plant the tomatillo in the soil.
Cover it with an ultra-lightweight row cover.
Secure with landscape staples or rocks.
Cover the plant for a couple of days to allow it time to adjust.
Do not panic if some leaves look sunburned.
Never let the soil become soggy.
Covers should be left on for one week at maximum.
Try trimming the plants that are casting shadows on your bed. You can use an LED grow lamp to light up your containers.
