Yellow Nightshade Groundcherry - Physalis Crassifolia - Perennial & Sweet
Quantity: 10 Seeds
Yellow Nightshade Ground Cherry, aka Physalis Crassifolia, is a plant in the solanaceae (nightshade) family. This species of ground cherry is native to the Mojave Desert. Unlike most ground cherry varieties, this species is perennial down to zone 7. The fruits are sweet and have a delicious flavour. Ground cherries are typically consumed fresh, but they can also be dried like raisins to enhance their already super sweet flavour; the berries can be made into an excellent tasting jam too. Usually, it's easy to tell when the fruits are mature enough to eat because they fall off the plant, hence the name Ground Cherry, but this variety seems to hold on to its fruit even when ripe. The flavour is greatly enhanced when the fruits are left to sit on the counter for a few days after picking, or until the husk surrounding the fruit dries out.
All seeds are organic and open pollinated.
Follow me on Instagram @smallislandseedco
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: Small Island Gardener
Growing Instructions
For the highest yields, It’s best to start Groundcherry seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost; we start them here on the farm in mid march. It's good to sow them in a sterile growing medium; most available seed starting soils should do the job nicely; we use sunshine mix (peat moss and perlite). The soil should be made moist, but not damp. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch below the soil surface. Store in a warm area until tiny sprouts emerge from the soil. A heat mat greatly aids in this step, but is not necessary. Seeds can take up to 2 weeks to germinate, but may take less time too. Once germinated, and the first true leaf has formed, it's time to pot up to a larger container that contains a good quality potting soil. Transplant to their final location when the nighttime temperatures are consistently 8°C or higher; for us at the farm, this is around early May.