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

I've never staked them, but I suppose tying up the stems might help like staking tomatoes to keep the fruit off the ground. You could try putting wire mesh around the plants so the stems grow through the mesh for support.

- Anonymous

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.