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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in South Carolina?

US · USDA Zone 8a · zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

3a–9b

South Carolina last frost

mid-February

South Carolina first frost

early December

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in South Carolina

Start indoors

Jan 4

Transplant

Feb 15

Harvest

Apr 26 – May 11

Dates are approximate, based on South Carolina'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 South Carolina

South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with long hot summers and mild winters. The Upstate is Zone 7a-7b; the coast is Zone 8a-8b. Two growing seasons are standard.