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           P      

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 9b 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 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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13 Mar 18, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
If you have any cape gooseberry seeds left. Or you can tell me where I could get some. Would like to try growing some.
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23 Oct 16, Amber (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought a seedling at Bunnings today for just $6 for a 20cm or so plant.
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30 Aug 16, Maria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just order Cape Gooseberries seeds from Australia Gardener-Beataricals packet of 30 seeds for $3.50
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22 Aug 16, Mary-Ann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
green harvest Maleny has them ! have you tried their very tasty close relation Cossack pineapple also at green harvest - we are Dayboro so climate similar
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27 Aug 16, Leah (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bunnings have the seeds!
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29 Sep 16, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, I just bought seeds from Bunnings. Could not believe my eyes! Whoever would have thought that Cape Gooseberry seeds would be sold in the shops!
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19 Jul 16, Rodney (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I have to prune them at all
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20 Jul 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I prune mine as it can get very large and leggy. Prune the top by 1/3 if it is tall, and the side shoots to keep it from spreading.I pick the fruit as it ripens and either freeze or partially cook, then adding more as they ripens till I get enough to make jam or chutney.
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29 Jun 16, Maeve Murphy (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Dublin, Ireland. I have the golden berry plants in a greenhouse. Do they need to be sprayed against any pests?.
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03 Jul 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Maeve, they're pretty hardy, but might get some of the same pests as tomatoes (white fly, etc). I don't think you need to spray them until you see a problem.
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Showing 181 - 190 of 393 comments
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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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