Prairie Ground Cherry
Physalis pumilafam. Solanceae
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Pl. 8878 — Physalis pumila
Physalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumilaPhysalis pumila
IOverview
Overview
Prairie Ground Cherry (Physalis pumila) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in light, medium, and heavy soils, often found in the wild across regions like Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Known for its edible fruit, this plant is native to parts of its range including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, and Minnesota. One distinctive feature of the prairie ground cherry is its light requirement; it prefers full sun, making it a robust choice for sunny gardens or naturalized areas.
Quick answers
What is Prairie Ground Cherry?
Prairie Ground Cherry (Physalis pumila) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in light, medium, and heavy soils, often found in the wild across regions like Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Da
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Prairie Ground Cherry thrives in full sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). This perennial plant grows to about 0.3 meters tall and can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. Hardy in temperate regions, it is native to areas including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The edible parts are the fruit.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Prairie Ground Cherry for the first time
8steps
Start with easy-to-grow Prairie Ground Cherry for a rewarding beginner gardening experience.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, small pots if starting indoors, garden soil, watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant outdoors after the last frost in spring when temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F).
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with full sun. Ensure soil is well-draining, light, medium, or heavy but not waterlogged.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have two sets of true leaves and all danger of frost has passed.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests like aphids and caterpillars.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Fertilize lightly with compost every few months.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune occasionally to encourage bushier growth. Harvest fruit when it turns a rich orange color and feels slightly soft.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil without drainage, neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The Prairie Ground Cherry's fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. Typically, the small, golden fruits are enjoyed fresh but can also be dried for later use.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
19 native · 1 introduced
Distribution
19 native · 1 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 19 native· 1 introduced
Broader regions
native:Louisiana, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas
introduced:Wisconsin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
1 related
See also
1 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Solanceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Solanceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 88787f86-27ae-4955-aa93-39c3e4887079
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