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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Colorado?

US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

3a–9b

Colorado last frost

early April

Colorado first frost

late October

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Colorado

Start indoors

Feb 23

Transplant

Apr 7

Harvest

Jun 16 – Jul 1

Dates are approximate, based on Colorado'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 Colorado

Colorado has a semi-arid mountain climate with intense sunshine and low humidity. Front Range cities like Denver are Zone 5-6; higher elevations are Zones 3-4.