Green Zebra

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Green Zebra to a garden.

Tart-sweet and vividly aromatic, Green Zebra delivers a bright, tangy bite wrapped in a tender, juicy flesh.

At maturity, its oval fruit wears bold lime-green stripes over a creamy green base, with a silky, sliceable texture that shines in fresh salads and vibrant salsas. Grow for standout color and flavor—these 80-day plants reward careful attention with a steady harvest of striking slicing tomatoes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Green Zebra Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Green Zebra’s balance of tart edge and aromatic snap makes it a slicing tomato that tastes alive even with minimal seasoning—no dull, mealy payoff. Its tender, juicy interior plays especially well with high-acid, herb-forward partners (just skip the ones you don’t want) because it keeps its texture while turning the dressing and salsa bright.

Best Uses

thick slices on flaky salt with a quick drizzle of olive oil and flaky chili
bright salsa that can stand up to crunchy onions and holds its shape in the bowl
tangy green-tomato salad under vinaigrette (the juicy interior keeps the dressing lively)
pan-tooled warm sauté with garlic and olive oil—finish with a squeeze of citrus to sharpen the bite

Flavor Profile

tart-sweet snap vivid, tangy tomato aroma tender, juicy sliceable flesh

Kitchen Pairings

red onion lime juice extra-virgin olive oil jalapeño feta chili flakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Physalis philadelphica (Green Zebra tomatillo), and how do I control it?

Watch for early blight (brown target-like spots on leaves) and leaf spot, which can explode during humid spells and dense foliage. Remove and discard affected leaves, thin plants for airflow, and apply a labeled fungicide such as chlorothalonil or a copper-based product at first signs and again according to the label. Also avoid overhead watering and water at the base to keep foliage dry.

How often should I water Green Zebra tomatillo during peak growth?

During active fruiting, keep soil evenly moist—about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and don’t let it swing from bone-dry to soaked because tomatillo foliage and fruits can suffer and disease risk increases. Use mulch to stabilize moisture, especially in full sun.

How can I tell when Physalis philadelphica fruits are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the paper husk turns tight and straw-to-green (often a bit more yellowed), and the fruit inside fills the husk. Fruits should be firm and have reached their full size; if the husk is loose and the berry is still small, wait. In general, expect harvest starting around day ~80, with ongoing picks as husks mature.