1/2" diameter berries have a delicious flavor reminiscent of pineapple. Bite-sized berries are so tasty that they may never make it into the kitchen, especially if you have children. Excellent for preserves, hot dessert toppings, salads or mock pineapple yogurt.
Plants are short (12"-18") but with bushy spreading lateral branches which choke out weeds. Fruits ripen to a pineapple yellow. Stores well in husks.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
The Cossack pineapple ground cherries will mature in about 80-100 days after sowing. You’ll know they’re ready to harvest when the husks turn a golden brown and start to papery.
Harvesting: Gently twist the fruits from the stems. The husks can be removed before eating, or you can enjoy the sweet and tangy fruit with the husk for a unique textural experience.
Common NameGround cherry, husk tomato, strawberry tomato
Botanical NamePhysalis pruinosa
FamilySolanaceae
Plant TypeAnnual, fruit, shrub
Mature Size1–3 ft. tall and wideSun
ExposureFull sun
Soil TypeLoamy, sandy, well-drainedSoil pHAcidic
Bloom TimeSummerHardiness Zones4–8 (USDA)
Native AreaCentral America
Toxicity outer wrapping Toxic to people, pets
1/2" diameter berries have a delicious flavor reminiscent of pineapple. Bite-sized berries are so tasty that they may never make it into the kitchen, especially if you have children. Excellent for preserves, hot dessert toppings, salads or mock pineapple yogurt.
Plants are short (12"-18") but with bushy spreading lateral branches which choke out weeds. Fruits ripen to a pineapple yellow. Stores well in husks.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
The Cossack pineapple ground cherries will mature in about 80-100 days after sowing. You’ll know they’re ready to harvest when the husks turn a golden brown and start to papery.
Harvesting: Gently twist the fruits from the stems. The husks can be removed before eating, or you can enjoy the sweet and tangy fruit with the husk for a unique textural experience.
Common NameGround cherry, husk tomato, strawberry tomato
Botanical NamePhysalis pruinosa
FamilySolanaceae
Plant TypeAnnual, fruit, shrub
Mature Size1–3 ft. tall and wideSun
ExposureFull sun
Soil TypeLoamy, sandy, well-drainedSoil pHAcidic
Bloom TimeSummerHardiness Zones4–8 (USDA)
Native AreaCentral America
Toxicity outer wrapping Toxic to people, pets
