Growing Cape Gooseberry, also Golden Berry, Inca Berry

Physalis peruviana : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 - 59 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Will happily grow in a flower border but tends to sprawl over other plants.

Your comments and tips

23 Apr 14, elissa (Australia - temperate climate)
All those people looking for seeds I got mine from theseedcollection.com.au
15 Apr 14, Marion Joli (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know how these plants handle frost?
02 Apr 14, Diane Elliot (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have saved seeds from my late parents' home. I am so glad to know that Eden Seeds will save me if they are too old to grow. I also used to raid the plants every season.
12 Apr 14, David Bullock (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Diane, good luck with your seeds, have you planted them yet &/or have they struck? My parents passed away years ago & the house was sold, didn't think about saving seeds then, as almost every second person had them in there back gardens, never thinking that the metre high variety would almost become extinct. Colleen
25 Mar 14, Pierre (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I am in Nelspruit,will Gooseberry grow here and can it be a profotable thing to plant? +- 4 ha Thank you
06 Mar 14, Colleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Father always had cape gooseberries in his garden & I have fond memories of rummaging beneath the metre high bushes to pick up the ripe fruit that has dropped, so bought myself one. It has grown into a straggly climber approx 2 1/2 metres tall & no matter how I prune it I can't control it. Also the fruit doesn't fall when ripe, in fact they can't be easily pulled of the vine but need to be cut. Nursery people don't know what I'm talking about & I only have a small area to plant out. Hope you can help.
05 Mar 14, sue (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
bought 2 plants in local nursery. getting nice lot of fruit
08 Feb 14, Joy Smith (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I have large health looking plants but they are not bearing fruit. They were self sown seedling which I planted out but they are just not bearing fruit. I always had an abundance of fruit from the parent plants. can you explain what the problem is.
14 May 17, Hans (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please ent me information of the pros an d cons of goose berries
08 Feb 14, Sid and Barbara Dyer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you tell me where I can purchase Cape Gooseberry's plants...I would like 4 of them if I have to order...Eating fresh as well as it also makes a great Jam.
Showing 411 - 420 of 557 comments

Is it little too late now to only have a few developing fruit? I've read that fruit takes 60 days to mature on the plant.

- George

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