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 Jul 19, (Australia - tropical climate)
If falling over, provide a frame. Prune one side and see how it goes.
08 Jul 19, Dave Bailie (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I have some Inca Berry plants started & an ready to move them outdoors ( late because of the very poor June we had here in NB , Canada ). I would like to plant these in a bed that will be permanent and have a few questions I would appreciate help with.I have a good size lot so have several different locations in mind depending on soil & sun conditions required. 1/ Would it be best to have full sun or should the plants have partial sun? 2/ Will these plants over winter in my climate ? If they will would a location with slow drainage bee okay or should I select a site that has good drainage. 3/ When making a bed should I add compost , lime, etc to the soil ; what would best benefit the plants ? I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely, Dave Bailie in Sackville,NB
28 Jul 19, Rick Hand (Canada - Zone 6a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
This is my first year growing Inca Berry and after a tough start to germinate, I had one plant that grew. It's in a pot because I'll bring it in during the winter because it would probably die in zone 6a (Halifax, NS). The plant wants full sun and is tolerant of dry conditions with good drainage. I've used sand with soil and gave it an early feeding of chicken manure. It produced lots of flowers from the beginning and fruit is now hanging from the branches (late July) from a plant that's about 30 cm high.
25 May 19, Sunita Narayan (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I've just read Mitre 10 keep seeds at some of their stores. I have one plant which is now in fruits. They are tasty. In tropics they grow wild with lots of fruits at a time.
30 Jun 20, Paul Hargreaves (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Bunnings in Christchurch sell the plants.
02 May 19, Suzie Carlile (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
I have grown cape Gooseberries successfully a few years ago. I live in south east. Fabulous crop. My question is how do you look after the plants after harvest and overwinter. I lost all my plants over the winter so starting again from seed this year. Thankyou. Suzie.
24 Nov 20, (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
It says it is perennial here so should grow all year. Maybe a light trimming after harvest. Frosts might kill it. Don't over water it during it's dormant time.
30 Mar 19, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
Keep an eye out for the 3 lined potato beetle if you are growing cape gooseberry as they can breed up quickly and ruin the leaves and fruit lanterns. See here for pictures to help identify the beetle, larvae and eggs: http://tomatoenvy.com/2015/06/09/wanted-dead-three-lined-potato-beetle/ My own approach is to keep an eye out for the beetles or chewed up leaves and squashing the beetle / larvae as I find them, and also checking the underside of the leaves for clusters of orange eggs which can be easily removed with a fingertip. More often than not I will find a pair of beetles together on the same plant and have found they are especially active in Nov-Dec but I have found stragglers as late as March even.
24 Mar 19, Kelly (Australia - temperate climate)
Trying to grow cape gooseberry from seed, in pots, in Perth. Plants are small and struggling, some have dropped all leaves. Any thoughts? How much light and water would they need?
12 Mar 19, Vertical Gardener (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
In case anyone is still searching, West Coast Seeds in BC offers cape gooseberry seeds. I've had success with their seeds, as well as seeds purchased through eBay from various sellers. Once you have berries you'll never have to purchase seeds again. In fact, I have to cull plants that self-seed each spring from the prior year's crop.
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