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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06 Jan 16, Ruth Morgan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Gooseberry grew from seed no probs. When it grew quite big, was invaded by pests. Small bug laying so many larvae under leave.Also leaf curl, and plant dies back. We try not to spray but killed hundreds of larvae and small bugs.Could you advise what to do and the amount of water and sun> Many thanks Ruth Morgan
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17 Dec 15, Mick Dodd (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can i purchase a cape goosebery bush in Perth area ??
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03 Jan 16, Jess (Australia - temperate climate)
If you know anyone with a plant they are easy to grow from seeds or cuttings. Occasionally I see them at nurseries or even bunnings. Or apparently you can get them from The Lost Seed Company (though I haven't checked for WA restrictions). If you get stuck and if you're anywhere near Mosman Park I can give you a couple of little seedlings
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23 Jan 16, Sara (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jess do you still have seedlings? I am growing my first ever gooseberry this year and it started off growing amazingly well. Very healthy, but I went on a holiday and when I came back it was overrun by red spider mites and is having really bad leaf curl now. Would be great to get hold of a couple of seedlings and give it a fresh start. Would be amazing if you could help me out. I live in Mosman too :)
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25 Nov 15, omari (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have cape gooseberry seeds and seedlings ...if interested get back to me
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05 Feb 16, Mandrid Blignaut (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Omari Do you still have gooseberry seedlings available? We're looking for a large number.
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30 Dec 15, bian kaighin (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hope I am not too late, f not I would like about 6 plants please. I live west Durban so please advise price including delivery
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14 Nov 15, David (USA - Zone 4b climate)
I remember these when a child living in South Africa. Living now in USA Maine zone 4b will they survive if I bring the inside for the winter? Really would like to grow some.
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07 Sep 15, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you plant the whole berry or try to extract the tiny individual seeds within it?
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29 Sep 15, jan furniss (Australia - temperate climate)
take the seeds out of the pod.
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Showing 341 - 350 of 558 comments
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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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