Most people only know the sweet and sour tasting, bright orange fruits of the Physalis from the supermarket. The cherry-sized Andean berry, as the vitamin-rich fruit is also called due to its origin, can be grown in the home garden or on the balcony with little effort.
How can I successfully grow and harvest Physalis plants?
Physalis plants need a sunny location and can be sown early from February/March or directly outdoors from mid-May. They are suitable for the garden or for keeping in containers and can be harvested between August and September.
Which location does the Andean berry prefer?
Physalis loves it as sunny as possible. Slowly acclimate the young plants to the midday sun (otherwise they will quickly get burned) and offer the adult plants a location in full sun.
What is the difference between the Andean berry and the Chinese lantern flower?
Although the delicious Andean berries are usually available in the supermarket under the name “Physalis”, strictly speaking this is only the generic name. “Physalis” is the Latin term for a group of plants also known as “blister cherry”. Within this genus there are around 80 different Physalis species, only some of which are edible. The Chinese lantern flower (Physalis alkekengi), which is native to Europe, is poisonous and is only cultivated as an ornamental plant, while the fruits of the Andean berry or Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), which come from South America, are suitable for consumption. Botanically, the genus Physalis as a whole belongs to the nightshade family.
When and how do I sow Physalis?
Andean berry seeds should be sown directly outdoors from mid to late May at the earliest, as the sensitive plant cannot tolerate frost. However, you can also grow the plants from February / March and plant them outdoors from the end of May. The seeds are only lightly covered with soil and must be removed as soon as the young plants have around two to three leaves.
Do I have to prefer physalis plants?
In principle, the period in which the plant can grow, bloom and ripen fruits is too short in Central Europe. That's why it makes sense to grow Physalis on the windowsill from February / March.
Can I grow Physalis on the balcony?
Yes, all types of Physalis are ideal for keeping in containers.
What substrate does the Physalis need?
Physalis are generally quite undemanding and thrive in almost any substrate. Conventional potting soil is suitable for keeping in containers (€10.00 on Amazon).
When and how do I transplant the young Physalis plants?
You can transplant early-grown Physalis plants either outdoors or into a sufficiently large pot (the plants grow to a height of around one to one and a half meters) from around the end of May. The optimal planting distance between the individual plants is at least 60 centimeters, preferably one meter.
When can I harvest the delicious fruits?
You can harvest the delicious fruits of the Andean berry between August and September, provided there is enough sun and water. Andean berries that are harvested unripe do not ripen.
Tip
Even if you only want one or two plants, it is recommended to still plant at least 10 to 20 seeds. Experience has shown that the seeds are not very different and have a fairly high failure rate. In addition, the resulting plants develop quite differently. You can give away any surplus plants to neighbors and friends.