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            

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Canada | for all countries
24 Apr 15, hilary mcglew (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to know what I am doing wrong. fruit appears but falls when only small before maturing?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Apr 15, Auriga (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Rosemary. Golden Berry (Cape Gooseberry) can ben pruned hard. I have just recently pruned all the older branches off the plants. The young green shoots at the base have grown and flowered. I prune any branches that grow out (horizontal) as once they get bigger they get heavy with fruit and leaves they are the first to break. I do not spray Golden Berries as I have only ever found one pest that attacks them (Tobacco Slug Beetle) and I control these by picking off the beetles and any leaves with slugs. With the weather staring to cool off I haven't seen any pests over the last few weeks and wouldn't expect any before spring. Enjoy your Goden Berries!
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Apr 15, Rosemary (Australia - temperate climate)
Much appreciated look forward to reaping the rewards
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Apr 15, Rosemary (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a nice looking gooseberry, planted a couple of months back. Should I prune the very low branches they lay on the ground. Do I spray plants to stop bugs now or wait until bugs appear
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Mar 15, seanne (Australia - arid climate)
My Cape gooseberrys were doing the same. As I'm trying to make a small yard edible Forrest I planted them under a pear with more potting mix and cow manure. Now they are lush green & growing fast. Mine however get a small water every day through summer in the morning and now our seasons changing every 2nd day.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Mar 15, Pat (Australia - temperate climate)
All my cape gooseberrys grew really well and then the top leaves all started to fall off and now most of them are just sticks with new growth coming from the base. They have had the same care all along. Do you know why this may be? They are planted in all different areas of the garden.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Dec 14, John (Australia - temperate climate)
HELP The leaves on my Cape Gooseberry bush are turning yellow. Any suggestions why and any cure?
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Oct 14, Margaret (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
can I grow these in southern Manitoba in my garden as a peranial or can I grow it in a container as an annual
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Oct 14, Greg (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Hi, would I be able to grow cape gooseberries in Zone 6A? Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jun 15, Dawn Phillips (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I'm in Ohio and my gooseberry bush loves this weather. Cold winters and warm summers. They are good grown in sun and partial shade.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 371 - 380 of 557 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Cape Gooseberry

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.