Little Lanterns, Husk Cherry

Key Attributes

Sun
Sun: Full Sun
Packet
Packet: 20 Seeds
Days To Maturity (# Days)
Days To Maturity (# Days): 70
Botanical Name
Botanical Name: Physalis pruinosa

Little Lanterns, Husk Cherry

This husk cherry plant has compact productive growth that has good weather tolerance. Sweet, edible fruit hides inside a papery husk resembling a paper lantern. Harvest fruits when the papery husk turns light brown and splits open or falls to ground. Suitable for small space gardens. Excellent fresh or added to fruit salads or party trays, jams, jellies, sauces.
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$3.75

Key Attributes

Sun
Sun: Full Sun
Packet
Packet: 20 Seeds
Days To Maturity (# Days)
Days To Maturity (# Days): 70
Botanical Name
Botanical Name: Physalis pruinosa

Product Details

Weight

0.007

Depth

0.1

Height

4.5

Width

3.25

Vine

Indeterminate

Plant Height

2-3'

Botanical Name

Physalis pruinosa

Seed Type

Seed

Seeds Per Gram

1,411

Seeds Per Pound

640,000

Row Spacing

3-4'

Packet

20 Seeds

Sow Depth

1/8"

Seeds Per Ounce

40,000

Breed

Open-pollinated

Sun

Full Sun

Life Cycle

Annual

Sow Method

Transplant

Plant Spacing

24-36"

Categories

Husk Cherry

Germination

5,6,7,8,9,10

Days To Maturity (# Days)

70

Growth Habit

Indeterminate

Components

Growing Instructions

    Learning Download: How to Grow Husk Cherries

Husk cherries, also known as ground cherries, are similar in shape and size to a cherry tomato, but the fruit is covered by a thin, papery husk.

Before Planting: Husk cherries can be grown in a garden, a raised bed or a container. Start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Seeds may be slow to sprout, but once their growth begins it remains steady throughout the season.

Planting: Sow 1-2 seeds per cell 6-8 weeks at 1/4″ deep. Seeds are slow to germinate and require 10-18 days to germinate. Keep soil moist and at 70 degrees Fahrenheit until emergence. Transplant outside after last frost in your area. Space 18-24″ apart.

Watering: Husk Cherries grow best when watered 2 inches per week.

Fertilizer: Husk cherries are a low maintenance vegetable, but gardeners can add an all-purpose fertilizer when the plant is first established and also when the plant begins to grow blooms.

Days to Maturity: Similar to tomatillos, husk cherries are ready to harvest when their husk changes colors from green to papery white and open. The cherries are very easy to pick at this stage. (See variety for days to maturity)

Harvesting: If a heavy fall frost will hit, harvest the cherries even if their husks have not ripened. The cherries can after ripen indoors, like tomatoes. When harvested, the cherries can be eaten fresh or added to recipes like salsas.

Tips: Husk cherries prefer full sun, but can produce with a small amount of shade.

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