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

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06 Nov 12, aaron (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
hav been growing cape gooseberry plants for years now in Bluff.cold as it may be at times in the deep south, grown indoors or in a sheltered patio pot these plants can thrive here.one neglected specimen in the corner of my hot house grew to the roof,over 7ft. tip cuttings or lateral cuttings can root in a glass of water or pushed into moist soil.I found 6 to 8 cuttings planted in a circle about the diametre of a bucket results in a great sized bush in its second year.i also had a single stemed plant that i tied to the frame of a tunnel house and trained for a entire growing season pinching out all latteral growth the resulting frame burst out prolificly the following year..dried seeds sprinkled throughout the garden germinated prolificly and can esily be transplanted.Hard cutting back at the end of the fruiting season seems only to encourage better growth next year.Great plant to give away to friends also good plant indoor for kids.If i can grow it in windy cold old bluff ANY ONE CAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.tip,berries are awsome on top of pavalova instead of kiwfruit or strawberrys.
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Hey Pat.. I used to live in Tasmania. In Winter Tasmania's weather can get down to -3c or more. So when the frost comes the plant will atleast die back unless you cover the plant to protect it from the frost. If you don't have a greenhouse or big plastic bag or sheets it is best to cut/ prune the plant back to around 25cm above ground level, put some dry leaves around the base of the plant and then cover the plant in thick clear plastic until the frost/ cold season has passed. I used to do this every Autumn about 6 weeks before Winter. I take the cover off about 6 weeks into Spring. By then the frost should be gone and new shoots should be emerging from the plant. By mid Summer your plant should be covered in berries. Every few years I make new plants from cuttings to replace the parent plants.. Goodluck...

- Canh

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