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
    S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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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03 Feb 16, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I just received mine from Fairdinkum seeds (they're located in Gin Gin) - can purchase them online - with free postage!! Regards Michelle
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01 Feb 16, Albert Johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
Reply to Mick Dodd. I have surplus seedlings of Cape Gooseberry, pick up in Beechboro if you would like some, free.
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28 Feb 16, Alan Gillanders (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Mick. Do you still have any Cape Gooseberry seedling left?? I live in Mindarie, but don't have a problem travelling to get some plants. Cheers Alan
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02 Feb 16, Gordon (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi mate, I've just read your email and was wondering if I could come get some seeds off you ? I'm in DOUBLEVIEW Thanks again
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23 Jan 16, Olaf (Australia - temperate climate)
Cape Gooseberry (Melbourne) I found a friend had a plant, from which I took two small cuttings. I just popped them in the ground and kept them moist. This was in March15. I needed to protect the young plants from marauding birds though. The cuttings were nipped off at ground level by a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. Not a problem though, I just replanted the remaining cutting out of cocky's reach. Now it is 3 feet tall has flowers on it and I am looking forward with much anticipation to enjoying the wonderful little fruit parcels. I have grown them before, but sadly found you need to propagate a new plant about every 2/3 years, as they are not long lived. This time I am not going to be deprived of this wonderful little fruit!
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21 Jan 16, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live in nundah/Brisbane .any chance you may have some seedlings/seeds.absolutely love them but can seem to find them in markets.thanks a lot
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28 Jan 16, Graeme (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Rachel. I live in Kalgoorlie WA and found Cape Gooseberry seedlings at the local Bunnings store ($4.95) when I was picking up finger limes that I had ordered. I am sure that they or most of the larger nurseries can get them in for you. As a kid we had several plants always growing as mum loved making jam with them. I am looking forward to enjoying them again. Good luck
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26 Jan 16, Luke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just bought some from Northey Street City Farm nursery on the weekend.
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16 Jan 16, Pamela (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the foothills of the Nandewar ranges, Narrabri NSW. I have been given a Gooseberry plant and wondered what is the best aspect for planting in to my garden?
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07 Jan 16, Ruth morgan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My gooseberries have large amounts of leaf curl. Can you suggest what to do?
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Hi Carol, My guess is your plant isn't getting enough water and/ or manure. My cape gooseberry which is now in the green house has gone wild, it's taken over the greenhouse. Not that I mind because it is loaded with fruit. Occasionally I squeeze the green husks to feel how the fruits are developing. The husks that developed in early December has fruits the size of a marble. I don't think they are going to get much bigger than that. New side shoots are still emerging just like the tomato plants and new fruit are developing with these new shoots. How I look after my goose berry is I try to get keep the soil around the plant moist but not damp if you know what i mean. Occasionally I let the soil to almost dry out but never completely dry so the root system can breathe. If you see the leaves starting to wilt from dry soil this will affect the berries in the pods. Try putting dry leaves around the base of the tree to preserve moisture. I don't need to mulch mine because the plant is so bushy it's shading the base itself!! I feed the plant with horse manure. How i do it is, I have a plastic bin about 40 litres with a cover. I put about a supermarket size bag of raw horse manure in the bin then filled it up with water, put the lit on and let it sit for about 2 weeks. I then scoop 4 or 5 cups of this mixture including the grassy bits of the manure from the bin and put into a 10 litre bucket. Fill the bucket up with fresh water, stir them together and water the plants. I feed the plants once every 2 weeks. simple as that..

- Canh

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