Sativa - Physalis / Andean berry “Schönbrunner Gold” – Seeds

• Excellent flavour: The aromatic fruits are a delight as a healthy snack, but also enhance jams, desserts and compotes.
• Important harvesting tip: Make sure to pick the berries only when fully ripe (when the lantern-like husk is dry and papery), as the fruits do not ripen further after harvesting.
• Stately growth: “Schönbrunner Gold” grows vigorously and bushy, giving it a high yield.

Cultivation & Care

As a native of the Andes region, this physalis loves the heat and requires some attention when choosing a location:

• Location: Full sun and sheltered from the wind. A spot in front of a south-facing wall or in a greenhouse is ideal.
• Heat requirements: High. The plant is sensitive to frost. It should therefore only be planted out from mid-May, once there is no longer a risk of night frosts.
• Nutrient requirements: Medium to high. The plants will reward you with a bountiful harvest if the soil is well-prepared with compost or regularly treated with organic fertiliser.
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging.

Key planting information

• Botanical name: Physalis peruviana
• Sowing depth: 0.5 cm (pre-sowing from February/March recommended)
• Spacing within the row: 60 cm
• Spacing between rows: 100 cm
• Planting time: From mid-May (after the last frosts)
• Growth height: Can reach 100 to 150 cm depending on the location.

Tips for success

• Support: Due to the heavy fruit load and spreading growth habit, the plants should be supported with stakes or a small trellis.
• Overwintering: The ground cherry is actually a perennial. If you have a bright, frost-free spot (approx. 10–15 °C), you can prune the plant back and overwinter it to gain a significant head start on the harvest the following year.
• Suckering: Similar to tomatoes, lightly pruning out the side shoots can encourage fruit ripening, but this is not strictly necessary for Physalis.