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 7b 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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29 Jan 14, Christie (USA - Zone 6b climate)
You can get the package of dried ones at health food stores like natural grocers, whole foods, trader joes, etc and pick out the seeds (very easy to do as they are loaded with them) and plant them.
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12 Apr 13, ROY BRYANT (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I am planting Cape Gooseberry plants in Central new Jersey, My question is: After growing all summer will they survive the winter?
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10 Nov 14, Anson (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Roy, They will not survive the winter. Physalsis peruviana will die if the temperature falls below 30 degrees F. It roots easily from cuttings, though, which allows you to bring plants indoors for winter, and is easy to grow from seed. -Anson
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10 Apr 13, Joanne (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Will gooseberries grow for me in the Sacramento valley of California? Would they prefer sun or shade? Thank you!
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10 Nov 14, Anson (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Joanne, Cape gooseberries will thrive in the Sacramento Valley. They prefer full sun. -Anson
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05 Dec 12, Deb Reid (Australia - temperate climate)
How you do eradicate the 3-lined Lema beetle which attacks the leaves and stresses the plant at all 3 stages of its life please?
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27 Sep 10, Don (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can anyone offer advice on growing cape gooseberries on the Gulf Coast? I have seeds and I'm curious about when to plant them.
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19 Nov 10, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Don, you should be able to grow cape gooseberries most of the year on the Gulf Coast. Frost or drought will affect them but otherwise they like warm, humid weather.
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Showing 41 - 48 of 48 comments
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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.

- David

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