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Herbaceous

Groundcherry

Physalis pruinosa

Perennial (annual in OK) with edible berries. Extremely productive in OK heat; behaves as self-seeding perennial; easy to grow

Edible
At a Glance

What to know before finding it a place.

SunFull sun
WaterMedium water
System layerHerbaceous
Plant typePerennial (annual in OK)
Plant spacing18-24 in apart
Mature size2-3 ft / 2-3 ft
Chill hours0-400
Soil pH6.0-7.0
HarvestJul–Oct
Expected yield2-3 lbs/plant
TrellisNo
Central Oklahoma

Growing notes for our conditions.

Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.

Oklahoma notes

Extremely productive in OK heat; behaves as self-seeding perennial; easy to grow

Disease resistance

Excellent

Pruning

Self-seeding; pull spent plants; thin seedlings

Care

Exotic sweet-tart flavor; self-seeds prolifically; husked fruit stores well

Drought tolerance

Moderate; consistent moisture improves performance

Pollination & Production

Plan the partners before planting the tree.

Pollination reference

For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.

PollinationSelf-fertile
Compatible partners–
Variety Selection

The cultivar can matter as much as the species.

These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.

Zone 7A Recommended Varieties

Cossack PineappleAunt Molly'sGoldiePineapple Tomatillo

These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.

Landscape Role

How this plant can function in a larger system.

Landscape functions

Edible; Attractor

Edible parts

Berries

Companion plants

Tomatoes, Peppers, Comfrey

Community / companion role

Pollination: Self-fertile; Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers, Comfrey

Food-forest layer

Herbaceous

Oklahoma classification

Primary

Soil, Fertility & Care

Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.

Soil preferences

Preferred pH 6.0-7.0

KNF / fertility schedule

Spring FPJ; Fruiting FAA

Maintenance

Self-seeding; pull spent plants; thin seedlings

Use this as a planning reference.

Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.

Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.