Ground Cherry

Basic Information

Seed Number

157

Seed Name

Ground Cherry

Variety

Aunt Molly

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Ground cherry (Physalis pruinosa)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

65 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-90°F

Planting Depth

1/8 in

Plant Spacing

18-36 in

Row Spacing

36-48 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep evenly moist during establishment and fruiting; do not allow seed-starting mix to dry out

Soil Preference

Well-drained garden soil; adaptable to relatively modest fertility

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Territorial Seed; Kitchen Garden Seeds; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 65–70 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5–10+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat; self-fertile flowers are visited by insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary fruit
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One early indoor sowing is usually enough; collect ripe dropped fruit often.
Zone 6B Notes: Start indoors so plants have enough warm season to produce before fall frost.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, lettuce, alyssum, marigolds
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Plants sprawl and ripe fruit drops to the ground. Rotate away from other nightshades. Eat only fully ripe fruit; foliage and unripe fruit are not for eating.
Sources: Territorial Seed: https://territorialseed.com/products/ground-cherry-aunt-mollys | Kitchen Garden Seeds: https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/ground-cherry-aunt-molly-s.html | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the May 5 last frost and transplant after frost danger has passed. Aunt Molly's 65-day maturity is well suited to Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Sow about 1/8 inch deep at 70-90°F and keep the seed-starting medium continuously moist.
Harvest: Fruit is ripe when the papery husk turns tan and the fruit naturally drops to the ground. Fully ripe fruit is golden and sweet-tart.
Seed Saving: Choose fully ripe fruit, remove and clean seed, then dry thoroughly before storage. Aunt Molly's is open-pollinated.
Special Care: Fruit can be eaten fresh or used for pies, preserves and jam. Plants may sprawl substantially even though the individual fruits are small.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/ground-cherry-aunt-molly-s — Physalis pruinosa identity, 65-day maturity, 7-21 day germination, 70-90°F temperature, 1/8-inch depth, 18-inch spacing and harvest when ripe fruit drops
Research Source: Annie's Heirloom Seeds — https://anniesheirloomseeds.com/products/organic-aunt-mollys-ground-cherry-physalis-pruinosa — 65-day maturity, indoor-start timing and 2-3 foot plant spacing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]