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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in California?

US · USDA Zone 9b · zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

3a–9b

California last frost

mid-January

California first frost

late December

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in California

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 10

Harvest

Mar 21 – Apr 5

Dates are approximate, based on California'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 California

California spans more climate zones than any other state. Coastal regions are mild year-round; the Central Valley is hot and productive; mountains are cold; deserts are extreme.