Hi, I'm Julia "The Gardening Girl".

I'll Help You Make Your Garden Better!

Get my free guide today "10 Proven Steps for a Successful Vegetable Garden"

Seed Saving Series: How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

One of my favourite summer crops is Ground Cherry!  If you haven’t grown it before, you would be surprised to learn that ground cherry is related to the tomato and is a member of the Solanaceae family.  Cousins of the ground cherry also include eggplant, potato, pepper and tomatillo. However, the flavour of ground cherry is completely different.  Covered in a papery sheath and also known as Physalis, ground cherry is grown for its sweet fruit value.

I have been growing ground cherries for many years and it has become a constant staple in my kitchen garden.  

To learn more about ground cherries and for seed saving instructions, read on. 

[Content Upgrade] Seed Saving Series: How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

Exclusive Blog Post PDF

Have you thought about saving your seeds? Download my free PDF to find out how.

There are two types of ground cherries in cultivation. Physalis pruinosa and Physalis peruviana.  I have grown P. peruviana and can describe the berries under their papery sheath as firm, orangey-yellow fruit, with firm skin and dense flesh. The sweet flavour is a cross between a pineapple and a strawberry.  Ground cherries dehydrate well, resembling a yellow raisin with an increased sweetness.

Unlike tomatoes, ground cherries grow close to the ground on wide spreading, bushy plants. 

Ground cherry is very easy to harvest. Simply wait for it to mature and fill out in its papery sheath. Once fully ripe, ground cherries tends to drop to the ground.  By mulching the ground with straw, you protect the little berries from collecting dirt.  Then run your hands over the mulch and collect handfuls daily.

Ground cherries are slow to start growing, but once they do, they won’t stop producing delicious fruit until frost.

How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds:

Tools Needed For Seed Saving:

  • bowl
  • sharp paring knife
  • tap water
  • tight mesh strainer/colander
  • large plate
  • sticky note or masking tape to label your seeds

Directions:

  1. Peel back the papery sheaths and remove them where they attach to the fruit.
  2. Cut ground cherries in half, with a sharp paring knife.
  3. Squeeze the halved ground cherries into a bowl, then add the partially squeezed halves to the bowl, as well.
  4. How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

    Squeezed ground cherry halves.

  5. Top up the bowl with tap water.
  6. Using your fingers, stir the fruit around in the water and push any pulp and seeds off the skins.
  7. Remove the clean skins from the water.
  8. Use your fingers to break up any seeds from the floating fruit pulp.
  9. Leave the seeds to settle and the pulp to float.
  10. How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

    Good and viable seeds have sunk to the bottom of the bowl.

  11. After the seeds have settled to the bottom, carefully pour off the pulp into the sink.
  12. Pour off any floating seeds, as these are not viable.
  13. Drain the seeds in a tight mesh strainer.
  14. How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

    Ground cherry seeds have been strained.

  15. After the water has drained away, lay your seeds out on a plate to dry.  Do not use paper towel as it will stick to the seeds, making it difficult to remove.
  16. Label your seeds with the date and variety, then attach the label to the plate.
  17. How to Save Ground Cherry Seeds

    Seeds are left to dry on a plate. Don’t forget to label them!

  18. After about two weeks, the seeds should be fully dry.
  19. Test for dryness by attempting to press your nail into a few seeds. If the seeds are rock hard, they are ready for storage.
  20. Store the seeds in a coin paper envelope or a glass jar, to prevent moisture buildup.

Ground cherry seeds have a long shelf life.  If stored properly in a cool, dry and dark location, they should remain viable for many years to come.

Happy Gardening!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Julia Dimakos

Hi, I'm Julia from Mono, Ontario, Canada. I began my gardening adventure after having children. Since then, my interest grew into a passion. I love growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit and medicinal herbs. I'm here to show you that growing your own food is not difficult and in fact can be simple.

Pin It on Pinterest