How to Grow Ground Cherry: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Transplant after all frost danger and soil has warmed (UMN). Start seeds indoors six to seven weeks before planting outdoors (UMN).

Ground cherry at a glance

PlantTransplant: last frost
SunFull sun, warm soil.
SpacingUMN: allow 18 to 24 inches of space in all directions.
Days to harvestHarvest when husks dry and fruit drops (UMN)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Not tomatillo: ground cherries are Physalis husk fruits grown like tomatoes; tomatillos are a different crop. See how to grow tomatillo.

Ground cherry fruit and leaves
Ground cherry (Physalis) fruit in husks. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 US (resized).

Planting timing

University of Minnesota: “Start ground cherry seeds indoors six to seven weeks before planting outdoors.” “Transplant to the garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.” (UMN tomatillos and ground cherries) Planner uses Transplant at last frost (0) only.

Depth and spacing

UMN: allow 18 to 24 inches of space in all directions. Sow seed about ¼ inch deep in sterile mix; keep germination mats warm (75–85°F) until emergence.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun, warm soil. Plants “can withstand drought and heat”; keep moisture even for uniform fruit. Flowers may abort above 90°F or below 55°F (UMN).

Care

Harden off with increasing sun; bring plants in if nights fall below 55°F during hardening (UMN). Avoid excess nitrogen that pushes leaves over flowers.

Harvest

UMN: pick ground cherries when husks are dry and fruit begins to drop from the plant.

Pests and diseases

Same nightshade complex as tomatillos/tomatoes in many gardens. Cultural spacing and sanitation first; see organic pest control.

Related: tomatillo · ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I transplant ground cherries?

After all frost danger and soil is warm (UMN).

Same as tomatillo?

No — related husk fruits, different crop; see the tomatillo guide.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources