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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 - 150 cm 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

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02 Apr 20, aileen cooke (Australia - temperate climate)
last time... the fruit failed to mature and some leaves went yellow and fell and the branches became straggly now it's autumn.it has bulked up. it's having another go...with flower. I love the plant. where am I going wrong?
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28 Jun 20, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
The roots of the goldenberry are quite shallow and prone to drying out. If you are growing the plant in soil perhaps you could try a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
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03 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There is a notice at the bottom of the page " 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. Gardenate 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."
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31 Mar 20, Noel Ling (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Comment: I have a self sown cape gooseberry (2 years old) in front of a small hothouse. Going absolutely mad in growth and fruit. don't water, fertilize or prune. height 6 ft, width 5 ft. probably need to pull it out before it totally covers entrance. is this type of growth normal?
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01 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is probably receiving water from you watering other plants. Plants don't grow without there being water and fert from somewhere. If you want to keep eating them maybe prune it back around the doorway. I had 5 agapanthus plants, fert them watered them put some good compost around them. Wouldn't grow much. Dug them out yesterday. Roots from the passionfruit (1.5m away) were everywhere. Passionfruit was stealing all the water and fert.
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13 Mar 20, Jerbear64 (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I simply got the seeds from the berries I purchased at the grocery store.
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10 Jan 20, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I ripen the fallen fruit? It’s hull is papery and crisp but still quite green inside. I’ve tried them on a sunny window ledge with no success
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13 Jan 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If really immature they probably won't ripen. Think about protecting them from the wind or what caused them to fall off.
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30 Dec 19, Frank (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
How long after sewing the seeds can you expect berries? In my area can they be left out year round?
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28 Mar 20, Vertical Gardener (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
I'm in Vancouver and grow cape gooseberries every year. I have never seen them last beyond October. They die back every year, well before the snow arrives.
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Showing 91 - 100 of 558 comments
See comments for all plants

Clay soil is a massive topic, I suggest you read a few articles - here is a very positive one: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-clay -- like the article states your soil is probably loaded with nutrition, water is the real issue; the way clay soil gets water logged and heavy. The standard rule of thumb with clay soil is: load it up with organic matter (manure, leaves, kitchen compost, etc.). You can just LAYER these on the soil. Additionally, choosing plants that tolerate/like clay soil -- I think the hardy kiwi can tolerate this soil as well as American Persimmon, osage oranges and lots of other plants. They have online plant finders that can help you isolate which plants have the highest probability of success. One thing I did notice when working with heavy clay soils was that plants take a lot longer to establish and grow. I suspect I wouldn't make the effort to plant anything other than plants that are specifically listed as clay tolerant -- you have to go right down to the type of plant: for example: OSAGE oranges not just any oranges .... but maybe all oranges can tolerate clay... you need to check by the type.

- Celeste Archer

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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.
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