Matures in 75 Days from Setting Out Transplants

A member of the tomato family, ground cherries are not true cherries but golden, cherry-sized fruits encased in papery husks. Native to Eastern Europe and the Americas, their flavor resembles tropical fruit—pineapple, apricot, vanilla, with a hint of tomato. Vines are lightweight but sprawling and benefit from support. Each plant produces hundreds of fruits that can be enjoyed fresh, cooked, preserved, or made into salsa.

Sowing:

Start seed indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date.
In warmer/long-season climates, seed can be sown directly outdoors.
Plant ¼” deep in fine soil and keep consistently moist until seedlings emerge.
Provide a sunny location or 10–12 hours of direct light from grow lights.
Thinning:

Thin to 15–40 inches apart depending on whether plants will sprawl or be staked.
Germination:

8–15 days depending on soil temperature and moisture.
Remarks:

Fruit often falls to the ground before fully ripe.
Gather and allow to ripen in husks until deep apricot in color.
High in pectin and sugar; traditionally used to make jam.