Medium
Ground cherry is susceptible to the same pests and diseases tomatoes are. Look for aphids, mosaic virus, wilt.
Sprawling habit may require staking or caging. Heavy branches may break off later in the season. Plan to harvest ripe fruit that falls to the ground – make it easier by using cardboard or plastic mulch, rather than rough or under-planted terrain that will make it difficult to pick up the fruit. Might be a candidate for large upside-down growbag or container. Grow well in a large container, but needs frequent watering in hot weather.
Treat the seeds like tomato seeds. Seeds can be successfully saved from mature (i.e. overripe) fruits, and should probably be fermented and cleaned like tomato seeds.
Sow at a depth of approx. 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) and aim for a distance of at least 1.95 feet (60.0 cm) between Ground cherry plants.By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Ground cherry about 42 days before your last frost date .
Seed viability is three years.
These estimates for how long Ground cherry takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 12 days | Min 3 days | Max 27 days (28)
Average 20 days | Min 13 days | Max 51 days (3)
Average 91 days | Min 54 days | Max 115 days (9)
Our when to plant Ground cherry estimates are relative to your last frost date.
Cossack pineapple, Strawberry tomato