Physalis pruinosa
Pineapple cherry
Common names: Earth cherry, Strawberry tomato
Photo: Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The pineapple cherry is a low-growing, spreading relative of the Andean berry. Its golden‑yellow fruits ripen inside delicate lantern‑shaped husks and taste sweetly of pineapple and strawberry. It is shorter and more compact than the taller tomatillo relatives, making it ideal for beds or pots.
Care instructions
Sow seeds in March in a warm, protected spot and transplant seedlings after the last frost in mid‑May to a sunny, warm location. Water evenly and fertilize moderately, excess nitrogen will inhibit fruiting. The ripe fruits fall from their husks in August; pick them regularly and allow them to ripen a few days longer on the plant.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, well-drained, loamy, sandy
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
asparagus family (Asparagaceae)
particularly well establishedAsparagus and tomato benefit from each other. The tomato keeps the asparagus beetle away, and the asparagus repels threadworms that harm the tomato.
For example AsparagusFunkieBluebellMuscariHyacinthAmerican Agave
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
mint family (Lamiaceae)
particularly well establishedYou will find that basil next to tomato and pepper improves taste and keeps whiteflies and aphids away.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
borage family (Boraginaceae)
Borage attracts pollinators and is supposed to keep tomato pests away from the nightshade family.
For example BoragoCommon comfreyPhaceliaForget-me-notNatternkopfSwamp Forget-Me-Not and one more species in the catalogue
Source: organic greenhouse companion planting practice
Rather not
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Onions slow down the growth of nightshade family plants next to potatoes and tomatoes; the classic crop-rotation rule also applies in the bed side by side.
For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example Tagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall AsterIceberg lettuce and 56 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
You should avoid planting potato and cucumber together because they share disease pathogens such as leaf and brown rot and stand in each other's way as strong feeders.
For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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