One of the easiest ways to get more husk cherries (Physalis) in your garden is by taking cuttings. The best part? It’s way faster than starting from seed, and since you’re basically cloning your favorite plant, you know exactly what kind of fruit you’re going to get!
Choosing Your Cuttings
A pro tip: whenever you’re pruning or pinching back your Physalis, save those trimmings! If you want to see fruit this same season, make sure to take your cuttings by the end of May at the latest.
Look for healthy shoots that are at least 4 inches long with one nice pair of leaves at the top. If there are extra leaves further down the stem, pluck them off. You don’t want those buried in the soil or sitting in water where they can rot and introduce bacteria that might kill your new little plant.
Getting Those Roots Growing
Once you’ve picked your shoots, use a sharp, clean knife to give the bottom of the stem a fresh diagonal cut. Now, you’ve got two choices: the water method or the soil method.
Rooting in water is fun because you can actually watch the roots grow, so you know exactly when they’re ready for a pot. However, planting directly into soil usually results in a much stronger root system. Plus, the plant doesn’t get “transplant shock” when moving from water to dirt. For the healthiest plants, I usually recommend rooting them right in the substrate.
How to root in a pot:
- Give the stem a fresh diagonal cut.
- Avoid touching the cut end with your fingers to keep it sterile.
- Fill a small pot with seed-starting mix.
- Bury the cutting about 2/3 of the way deep.
- Water the soil well.
- Cover the whole thing with a clear dome or bag.
That cover is key! It creates a mini-greenhouse that keeps the humidity high, which prevents the leaves from drying out while the plant has no roots to drink with. You can use a clear freezer bag secured with a rubber band, a glass jar turned upside down, or a seed-starting tray with a lid. Just remember to lift the cover every day or so to let some fresh air in, otherwise, you might run into mold issues.
Taking Cuttings for Overwintering
If you want to save your Physalis for next year without keeping a massive pot in your living room, you can take cuttings in the fall. This is perfect to do while you’re pruning your Physalis back for the winter. Since space is usually tight indoors during the cold months, many gardeners prefer to let these fall cuttings root in a simple glass of water on a windowsill until spring.
