Did you know that Physalis (also known as Cape Gooseberries or Ground Cherries) are actually perennials? Most folks treat them like annuals, but if you give them a cozy spot to spend the winter, they’ll reward you with a much earlier harvest next season. Since these tropical beauties can’t handle a frost, you’ll need to bring them indoors.
Here’s my guide on how to keep your Physalis happy until spring!
Getting Your Physalis Ready for Winter
Before moving your plants inside, you need to prep them for their “dormancy” phase. Starting in September, start cutting back on the watering. If your Physalis has been living directly in the garden bed, you’ll need to dig it up and pot it. Choose a container that’s about an inch or two wider than the root ball.
You can leave your plants outside until the first frost threatens, but once temperatures consistently dip below 50°F (10°C), it’s officially time to move. If you have a massive plant, go ahead and prune it back by about a third. For smaller plants, no heavy pruning is needed—just make sure to pinch off any remaining fruits or flowers. You want the plant to save its energy for surviving, not for growing berries!
Winter Care Tips
Finding the right “winter home” is the secret to success. If the conditions aren’t right, the plant likely won’t make it to spring.
Here’s what your Physalis is looking for:
- A frost-free zone
- Plenty of bright, natural light
- Temperatures between 50°F and 60°F (10–15°C)
While they’re overwintering, keep the soil slightly moist but don’t overwater, and definitely skip the fertilizer for now. Keep a close eye out for uninvited guests—aphids and whiteflies love to move in during the winter months!
The “Cutting” Alternative
I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have a bright room that stays at 50 degrees!” Don’t worry—you can actually overwinter your Physalis as cuttings instead. This method is great because the cuttings are happy at normal room temperatures (around 68°F).
How to overwinter with cuttings:
- Just before the first frost, snip off some young shoots about 4 inches long.
- Remove any flower buds or fruit.
- Pop the stems into a glass of water to let them root.
- Change the water at least every other day to keep it fresh.
- Once you see healthy roots, pot them up in a mix of seed-starting soil and regular garden soil.
- Keep the soil lightly moist throughout the winter.
The trick here is to take your cuttings as late as possible in the fall. This helps prevent the young plants from trying to bloom too early inside your warm house. Once May rolls around and the danger of frost has passed, you can move your new plants back out into the sunshine!
