Physalis
( fye - SAY - liss )
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At-A-Glance InformationPlants in the genus Physalis are commonly called Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes, Husk Cherries, Poha Berries, and Golden Berries. Species are native to the Americas and Australasia and can be either annuals or perennials. Plants are typically identified by the large, papery husks that partly or fully enclose fruits. Many Physalis species produce edible fruits, and some species are even cultivated for this purpose. Fruits are similar to tomatoes in form and texture, and taste like sweet, tangy grapes. Take care when planting these in the landscape, as all plant parts can be toxic to humans and pets.
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Physalis species and varietals
The genus Physalis is a member of the plant family Solanaceae and includes between 75 and 90 species. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek word for bladder, 'phusallis'. Despite their common name Groundcherry, they are not related to Cherries (Prunus), but are more closely related to plants in the Solanum genus. Physalis plants grow best in zones 1-24 (To find your zone, click here: Zone Map).
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Physalis acutifolia (Sharpleaf Groundcherry, Wright's Ground-Cherry) This species is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and can be found in many different habitats. Leaves are lance-shaped and flowers are white to pale yellow with wide, bright yellow centers. Plants reach up to about three feet tall. |
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Physalis angulata (Physalis minima) (Cut-Leaved Groundcherry, Lance-Leaved Groundcherry, Camapu, Koropo, Cecendet, Bolsa Mullaca, Angular Winter Cherry, Kamambu, Ciplukan) This herbaceous annual species has dark green leaves with toothed margins. Flowers are pale yellow, and fruits that follow are yellow-orange. Native to Australia and the Americas, this species has naturalized in many places around the globe. Fruits can be eaten raw, cooked, or made into jam. |
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Physalis crassifolia (Yellow Nightshade Groundcherry, Thick-Leaf Ground-Cherry) These plants are native to the southwestern United States and reach up to 32 inches tall when mature. Flowers are yellow, and foliage is dark green and has a sheen to it, thanks to the short hairs on leaves. These plants prefer desert, rocky, or mountain habitats. |
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Physalis grisea (Strawberry Ground-Cherry, Downy Ground-Cherry, Strawberry Tomato) This species has foliage covered in soft hairs, which make the whole plant greyish in appearance. Plants are native to northeastern North America, and flowers are yellow. Individual plants reach up to about 18 inches tall when mature. |
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Physalis longifolia (Longleaf Groundcherry, Wild Tomatillo, Common Groundcherry) To between 8 and 24 inches tall when mature, these plants are native to North America. It is considered a weed in some areas of the United States, including California. Flowers occur in leaf axils and are yellow with purplish markings on the interior bases of petals. Fruits are yellow-green and edible, said to taste like an under-ripened strawberry. |
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Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto, Uvilla, Uchuva, Cape Gooseberry, Goldenberry, Peruvian Groundcherry, Pichuberry) This species of Groundcherry is native to Chile and Peru, and is closely related to the Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica). It is an annual in temperate locations, but is considered a perennial in tropical zones. Plants vary in habit and size, ranging from between 3 and 5 feet tall. Flowers are yellow with purple-brown spotting, and fruits are yellow. |
Physalis philadelphica (Physalis ixocarpa) (Tomatillo, Mexican Husk Tomato, Mexican Groundcherry, Large-Flowered Tomatillo)
These plants are native to Mexico, and produce edible fruits that are used in a variety of dishes, including Salsa Verde. Flowers can be white, light green, bright yellow, or purple. Isolated plants rarely produce fruits; these plants are hightly self-incompatible. Varieties are outlined below:
These plants are native to Mexico, and produce edible fruits that are used in a variety of dishes, including Salsa Verde. Flowers can be white, light green, bright yellow, or purple. Isolated plants rarely produce fruits; these plants are hightly self-incompatible. Varieties are outlined below:
'Amarylla'
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'Purple de Milpa'
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'Rio Grande Verde'
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'Pineapple'
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'Mexican'
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'Green Husk'
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'Chupon'
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'Gigante'
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Physalis pruinosa (Ground Cherry, Husk Tomato) Native to an area that spans from northern Mexico down through Central America, this species has a low, spreading habit. Fruits are yellow and sweet when ripe. Common varieties include 'Cossack Pineapple' and 'Aunt Molly's'. Individual plants reach up to between 18 and 24 inches tall when mature. |
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Physalis pubescens (Husk Tomato, Low Ground-Cherry, Hairy Groundcherry, Muyaca, Capuli) This species produces a densely hairy stems and flowers that are yellow with brown markings on each petal. Plants reach up to 2 feet tall and grow from a taproot. Leaves are oval or heart-shaped, and fruits are typically used in pies or jellies. Unripe plant parts are poisonous. |
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Physalis virginiana (Virginia Groundcherry) These perennial plants grow from rhizome, and are native to an area that ranges from eastern North America over into the state of Wyoming, USA. These plants prefer moist, sandy soils and produce small greenish-yellow flowers. Individual plants reach up to between 8 and 12 inches tall. These plants are considered invasive in commercial plant production areas. |
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Caring for Physalis
Physalis plants can either be purchased as specimens from a reputable nursery, or grown from seed indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost of the year in your area. Groundcherries are best planted out in springtime. They will form clumps, spreading by underground rhizome roots, and have the potential to become a bit invasive. Make sure they are being planted in an area where they will not be at risk of disturbing other plants. They grow well in full sun; ideally, these plants should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best flowering and fruiting. Physalis plants can tolerate some light shade, but will flower and otherwise perform better in a sunny position. They are not picky about soil type, as long as it is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and as a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of plants after installing to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain consistent soil temperatures.
Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Groundcherry plants prefer to receive regular irrigations; about an inch of water per week during the warm months of the year is typically sufficient. They do not like to have dry root systems, and will quickly wilt and drop their fruit and blossoms if they do not receive enough water. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Physalis plants is relatively straightforward: simply remove spent flowers to improve the look of ornamental plants, though they should be left on if plants will be harvested for their fruits. Every so often, Physalis plants will need to be divided to improve their health. They can quickly invade surrounding beds, and digging and dividing consistently can prevent this behavior from becoming problematic. For instructions on how to successfully divide Physalis plants, consult the Propagation section below.
Growing Physalis in Containers
Physalis plants can either be grown in the ground or in containers. When grown in containers, they can be easily moved to be protected from the sun or other harsh climate conditions like strong wind and hail, which can cause damage. Choose a container that is at least 8 inches deep. If a nursery plant has been purchased for the container, make sure the new pot is about two inches wider than the grower's temporary container. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes in the bottom, and fill the base with a well-draining substrate amended with plenty of organic material or compost. Place your Physalis in the pot, and fill around the root ball with substrate, making sure to settle it without packing it down too much. Mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. Mature plants also appreciate consistent waterings; plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigations than those in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage as well as spent flowers (if you will not be harvesting fruits later on). Every few years, Physalis grown in containers will need to be divided to maintain root health. For instructions on how to successfully divide a Groundcherry, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Physalis Plants
All parts of the ground cherry plant, except the fruit, are toxic to people and pets. Unripe cherries have the highest level of toxins, so do not eat them until the fruit is ripe enough. Seek help immediately if a toxic part is consumed. The Ground Cherry is an under-utilized but productive crop plant; each individual plant produces about a pint of fruit per season. The small fruits are commonly compared to sweet, tangy grapes, though texture and flavor varies across species. The species most often cultivated for consumption are Physalis philadelphica (Tomatillo) and Physalis pruinosa (Ground Cherry), though all species produce fruits of some kind. Once harvested, fruits are typically used fresh in salads, cooked into sauces, made into preserves or jams, and added to salsas.
The best time of the year for harvesting Ground Cherries is in late summer or fall. Fruits are typically ready to be harvested between 7 and 10 weeks after flowering. The husks that surround the fruits will begin to dry, turning papery and light brown in color. Ground Cherries are typically harvested after they have fallen from the plant, and some horticulturalists will lay down burlap or other cloth under plants to catch fruits and make harvesting them simpler. Fallen fruits should be collected often to discourage reseeding. Do not consume unripe fruits, as they are toxic. Once harvested, bring fruits indoors to work with them. If they will be going straight into storage for future use, husks and calyces can be left on, and the fruits can be placed in a paper bag in a cool, well-ventilated, dark space that stays between 42 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit with 60%-80% relative humidity. If storing in bulk, plastic storage crates can be used instead of paper bags. Do not store them in close proximity to ethylene-producing fruits like Apples or Bananas. To process for consumption, take the fruits and remove their husks and calyces. These parts are toxic. Rinse fruits to remove any dust or dirt, and then lay them out to dry off. Processed fruits can either be eaten fresh or cooked.
Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Groundcherry plants prefer to receive regular irrigations; about an inch of water per week during the warm months of the year is typically sufficient. They do not like to have dry root systems, and will quickly wilt and drop their fruit and blossoms if they do not receive enough water. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Physalis plants is relatively straightforward: simply remove spent flowers to improve the look of ornamental plants, though they should be left on if plants will be harvested for their fruits. Every so often, Physalis plants will need to be divided to improve their health. They can quickly invade surrounding beds, and digging and dividing consistently can prevent this behavior from becoming problematic. For instructions on how to successfully divide Physalis plants, consult the Propagation section below.
Growing Physalis in Containers
Physalis plants can either be grown in the ground or in containers. When grown in containers, they can be easily moved to be protected from the sun or other harsh climate conditions like strong wind and hail, which can cause damage. Choose a container that is at least 8 inches deep. If a nursery plant has been purchased for the container, make sure the new pot is about two inches wider than the grower's temporary container. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes in the bottom, and fill the base with a well-draining substrate amended with plenty of organic material or compost. Place your Physalis in the pot, and fill around the root ball with substrate, making sure to settle it without packing it down too much. Mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. Mature plants also appreciate consistent waterings; plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigations than those in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage as well as spent flowers (if you will not be harvesting fruits later on). Every few years, Physalis grown in containers will need to be divided to maintain root health. For instructions on how to successfully divide a Groundcherry, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Physalis Plants
All parts of the ground cherry plant, except the fruit, are toxic to people and pets. Unripe cherries have the highest level of toxins, so do not eat them until the fruit is ripe enough. Seek help immediately if a toxic part is consumed. The Ground Cherry is an under-utilized but productive crop plant; each individual plant produces about a pint of fruit per season. The small fruits are commonly compared to sweet, tangy grapes, though texture and flavor varies across species. The species most often cultivated for consumption are Physalis philadelphica (Tomatillo) and Physalis pruinosa (Ground Cherry), though all species produce fruits of some kind. Once harvested, fruits are typically used fresh in salads, cooked into sauces, made into preserves or jams, and added to salsas.
The best time of the year for harvesting Ground Cherries is in late summer or fall. Fruits are typically ready to be harvested between 7 and 10 weeks after flowering. The husks that surround the fruits will begin to dry, turning papery and light brown in color. Ground Cherries are typically harvested after they have fallen from the plant, and some horticulturalists will lay down burlap or other cloth under plants to catch fruits and make harvesting them simpler. Fallen fruits should be collected often to discourage reseeding. Do not consume unripe fruits, as they are toxic. Once harvested, bring fruits indoors to work with them. If they will be going straight into storage for future use, husks and calyces can be left on, and the fruits can be placed in a paper bag in a cool, well-ventilated, dark space that stays between 42 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit with 60%-80% relative humidity. If storing in bulk, plastic storage crates can be used instead of paper bags. Do not store them in close proximity to ethylene-producing fruits like Apples or Bananas. To process for consumption, take the fruits and remove their husks and calyces. These parts are toxic. Rinse fruits to remove any dust or dirt, and then lay them out to dry off. Processed fruits can either be eaten fresh or cooked.
Propagation
Physalis can be propagated either by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Physalis, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Physalis by Seed
Propagating Physalis by Cutting
Propagating Physalis by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Physalis by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Physalis by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.
Propagating Physalis by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Physalis fruits contain multiple small seeds.
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Physalis seeds are very tiny, and are typically light brown to tan in color.
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Problems and Pests
Physalis plants, although typically resistant to issues in the garden, can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases from time to time:
- Whiteflies
- Flea Beetles
- Hornworms
- Cutworms
- Powdery Mildew
- Root Rot
Gallery
Physalis plants produce interesting, colorful papery coverings around their fruit.
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Ground Cherries are commercially cultivated in Mexico, India, and Colombia.
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These plants, in addition to their use in culinary applications, also produce stems that are used for decorating.
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Ground Cherries are in the Solanaceae family, making them relatives of Tomatoes and Eggplants.
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Here, a wreath has been constructed using Physalis stems.
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The papery bracts of Physalis fruits are commonly used in fresh flower arrangements.
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A Physalis seedling.
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Here, Physalis plants help to cover up a stark white garden fence.
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Physalis plants are considered edimentals, valued for both their aesthetic and edible qualities.
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Videos
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How to grow these edible fruits.
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Learn how to grow Physalis in pots.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 503, Physalis alkekengi
