Ground cherries are not perennial plants, meaning they do not come back year after year from the same plants. However, they have a unique way of reproducing that allows them to reseed themselves and come back in subsequent years.
Ground cherries are typically grown as annuals, which means that they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They are planted from seeds in the spring and will grow, flower, and produce fruit within a few months. Once the fruit is harvested or the plant reaches the end of its life cycle, it will die off.
However, ground cherries have a tendency to drop their ripe fruit to the ground. These fallen fruit can then rot and release their seeds into the soil. This natural process allows the seeds to stay in the ground and potentially germinate in the following growing season.
In my own experience, I have found ground cherry seedlings popping up in unexpected places in my garden the following year, even though I did not intentionally plant any new seeds. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as the reseeding can lead to an abundance of ground cherries if not managed properly.
To prevent ground cherry seedlings from taking over your garden, it is important to harvest all the fruit and remove any that has dropped to the ground. This will help control the spread of the seeds and prevent unwanted seedlings from sprouting in unwanted areas.
While ground cherries do not come back year after year from the same plants, they do have the ability to reseed themselves and potentially come back in subsequent years. By properly managing the fallen fruit and controlling the spread of seeds, you can enjoy the benefits of ground cherries without the risk of them taking over your garden.
