Anise-scented Groundcherry Plant Care

Anise-scented Groundcherry (Physalis angulata) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Physalis genus. Anise-scented Groundcherry is native to Australia or the Americas or the native range may encompass both the Americas and Australia. Anise-scented Groundcherry is also known as Cape Gooseberry, Wild Cape Gooseberry, Hog Cherry.

Anise-scented Groundcherry displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Anise-scented Groundcherry produces small, lantern-like orange or yellow blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Anise-scented Groundcherry every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Anise-scented Groundcherry thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Physalis angulata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Anise-scented Groundcherry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is essential for Anise-scented Groundcherry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Anise-scented Groundcherry every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Anise-scented Groundcherry is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Anise-scented Groundcherry can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Anise-scented Groundcherry while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Anise-scented Groundcherry is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Anise-scented Groundcherry can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ground cherry plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Anise-scented Groundcherry is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Anise-scented Groundcherry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Anise-scented Groundcherry is native to Australia or the Americas or the native range may encompass both the Americas and Australia.