Ground Cherry Plant Care: How to Grow Ground Cherries

Ground cherries (genus Physalis) are a group of more than seventy-five species of leafy bushes in the nightshade family that bear small, colorful berries in papery husks. Most ground cherry species are popular as summer annuals for their edible fruits, which appear similar to cherry tomatoes. Others produce inedible berries and are more popular as ornamentals.

Ground cherry plants do well in a wide range of climates, but most common ground cherries thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8. There are heat-tolerant varieties that can withstand temperatures as warm as those in Zone 12.

There are over seventy-five species of ground cherries, each with different common names, growing patterns, berry colors, and more. Common species include:

• Common ground cherry: Other names for the common ground cherry (Physalis pruinosa) include strawberry ground cherry, husk cherry, strawberry tomato, and pineapple cherry. This plant bears small yellow fruits that taste mildly tropical, with notes of pineapples or strawberries. These plants are annuals, which means they die off in the heat of the summer and require replanting the following spring. Common cultivars include ‘Aunt Molly’s’, ‘Goldie’, and ‘New Hanover.’
• Chinese lantern: Perennial ground cherries, Chinese lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi) have bright orange-red seed pods that appear similar to Chinese paper lanterns. Their seed pods are unusually vibrant compared to other ground cherries but likely aren’t edible, making Chinese lantern plants most popular as ornamental bushes in decorative garden designs.
• Incan golden berry: An annual in places with winters that dip below fifteen degrees Fahrenheit, the Incan golden berry (Physalis peruviana) or Cape gooseberry plant is perennial in areas with milder winter months. It produces yellow fruits slightly larger than common ground cherries and with a stronger citrus flavor.
• Tomatillo: One of the largest members of their genus, tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica or Physalis ixocarpa) are a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes. Popular for their tart flavor, which is similar to that of tomatoes, tomatillos also sometimes go by Mexican husk tomatoes.

Different species of ground cherries require slightly different planting schedules to maximize their fruit production or to give the plants the best chances for success.

In general, growers recommend starting ground cherries indoors from seed in late winter or early spring—between six and eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. This gives the seedlings a headstart on the growing season, enabling them to establish roots and new growth before you transplant them into the ground after the threat of frost has passed.

While there are many species of ground cherries, the general planting procedure remains the same:

1. 1. Start the seeds indoors before the last frost. Plant ground cherry seeds in trays of potting soil about six to eight weeks before your region’s last frost date. When you start seeds indoors, you help ensure the seedlings will be strong when they are ready for transplanting.
2. 2. Keep the seeds in a warm, sunny place. Keep your seeds in a sunny part of your home (or an area with a grow light) and maintain evenly moist soil. Germination should occur within three weeks if the temperature stays between sixty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
3. 3. Harden off your seedlings. Hardening off refers to the process in which you gradually expose indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions to avoid shock. Begin to harden off seedlings about ten to fourteen days before your transplant date by placing your seedlings in an outdoor spot protected from wind and sun for an hour a day. Every day, extend your seedlings' time spent outside by another hour and gradually expose them to more and more sunlight.
4. 4. Prepare the planting site. Once the threat of frost has passed, prepare a planting bed (either a raised garden bed or one directly in the ground) into which you will transplant the seedlings. Choose a spot with full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day) and amend the soil so that it’s well-draining and rich in organic material.
5. 5. Transplant the seedlings into your garden. Space your seedlings at least twelve inches apart to prevent overcrowding.

Most ground cherries require simple care. Follow these tips to facilitate your plants’ survival:

• Keep the soil evenly moist. Ground cherry plants need a lot of water to thrive and produce a good crop, so water your ground cherry plants and keep the soil moist but not soaking wet (overly wet soil can lead to root rot). As the plants mature, reduce the watering frequency. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plants can help retain soil moisture.
• Keep an eye out for pests. Several persistent pests—including flea beetles, whiteflies, cutworms, hornworms, and slugs—can target ground cherries. Spray pests off leaves with a sharp jet of water or treat your plants with an organic pesticide, such as neem oil. If your plants continue to suffer from pests, consider avoiding pest-prone cultivars (for example, Chinese lantern plants) in favor of more pest-resistant varieties.
• Harvest the fruit. Gathering ground cherry fruits is simple—you know they’re ripe when they become loose or fall off the branches. Clear away fallen fruits to avoid attracting pests, whether or not your ground cherries are edible. If you are growing an edible ground cherry, gently shake your bushes to encourage the ripe fruit to drop, then collect the ripe ground cherries and remove the husks before eating them.

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