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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Alabama?

US · USDA Zone 8a · zones 7b, 8a, 8b

Grows well here

Ground cherries grow easily in your zone — a surprisingly productive and self-sufficient crop.

Plant zones

3a–9b

Alabama last frost

mid-February

Alabama first frost

early December

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Alabama

Start indoors

Jan 4

Transplant

Feb 15

Harvest

Apr 26 – May 11

Dates are approximate, based on Alabama's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Ground Cherry

Ground cherries (husk cherries) are a hidden gem of the vegetable garden — sweet vanilla-pineapple flavored fruits inside papery husks that drop naturally when ripe. Excellent for jam, baking, and eating fresh.

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plants self-mulch with dropped husks — fruits inside stay fresh on the ground for weeks. Harvest husked fruits daily. Productive and drought-tolerant once established. Self-seeds freely the following year.

Full ground cherry growing guide →

Gardening in Alabama

Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with long hot summers and mild winters. Most of the state supports year-round cool-season growing and a long warm season for vegetables.