Growing Guide: Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry

Growing Tips
(Also known as: Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry, Ground Cherry, Husk Cherry, Cape Gooseberry, Poha, Physalis, Physalis pruinosa)

Plant Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry in full sun for the sweetest, most flavorful harvests. Choose well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, and water consistently during establishment, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings once mature. Warm-season and frost-sensitive, it grows best in temperatures above 60°F. Feed lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer and avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Plants benefit from light pruning to maintain shape but generally prefer to sprawl naturally. Suitable for raised beds, in-ground plantings, or large containers. Expect fruit 65–75 days from transplanting, with ripe berries dropping gently from the plant when ready.

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