Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry

Scientific Name: Physalis pruinosa 'Aunt Molly's' [Organic]

Also Known As

Aunt Molly's Cape Gooseberry

Plant type

perennial, annual / biennial, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 1'-2'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

1-12

More Options

Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry plant details

Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry is a broadleaf deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen annual / biennial or perennial fruit / vegetable with green foliage. In spring and summer cream flowers emerge followed by orange and yellow fruit. Grows well with sun and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry

Plant type: annual / biennial or perennial fruit / vegetable
Plant family: solanaceae
Foliage: deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: cream blooms in spring and summer
Uses: award-winning, container plant, easy-to-grow, edible, heirloom

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry

USDA Zones: 1 - 12
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

An heirloom grown by the Pennsylvania Dutch since the early 1800s, ground cherry is prized for its sweet flavor with citrus overtones, described by some as “reminiscent of pineapple and brown sugar”. For jams, sauces and pies or added fresh to fruit salad. Berry sized fruits are encased in papery husks and store for 3 weeks or more. Prolific, they are produced on a sprawling plant that can be grown in a pot, for easy to pick cascades."

By: Select Seeds

CAPE GOOSEBERRY - AUNT MOLLY GROUND CHERRY - Small orange fruit similar in size to cherry tomato or cape gooseberry covered with a papery husk. Flavor is a tomato pineapple blend. Grows 1-3' tall, likes sun, cannot freeze. Uses: eaten raw, salads, desserts, flavoring in jams and jelly. Grown as annual in north and perennial in frost free areas.