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 S         S S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P P         P P P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - sub-tropical 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

20 Dec 19, Eliud Mungai (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I am from Kenya in East Africa and I have a small garden planted with golden berries.the plants are about 1.5 metres high. Their leaves have developed white sports underneath and are falling off. What could be the problem? And what's the soluton to this problem?
22 Dec 19, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Check with a local agricultural department or a nursery.
15 Dec 19, Margaret (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Canberra, australia. Is it too late to put in some seed?
17 Dec 19, anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A general guide is to plant Sept to Nov . so put some seed in as soon as possible. Weather changes year to year, and I'm not talking climate change. We are experiencing a much later start to spring summer rains due to the Indian ocean dipole and the monsoon trough has not yet moved down from India into the north of Australia.
25 Oct 19, Dorothy Kerby (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a cape gooseberry, and I love the fruit. BUT so does some grub. It makes a hole in the papery case (even when the fruit is just developing). What is this grub, and how can I prevent it from having more fruit that I do? I check the plant daily, and try to remove any affected fruit, to prevent them dropping and perpetuating the life cycle, BUT they are more tricky than I. I have bees and grow every thing organically.
28 Oct 19, anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up an organic spray mix for grubs in veggie crops.
22 Oct 19, Pippa (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Contact chirene at cfruit. [email protected]
11 Oct 19, Victor Jee (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Dear Sir I would like to know at what temperature will the gooseberry seed be destroyed 100c 150c or higher? Regards Victor Jee
13 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Killing seeds first depends on what plant, some require higher temps. Generally the lower the temp the longer to kill it. The higher the temp the less time required. Above about 180 F will kill most seeds. Temps of 180-200 F will kill most seeds in 30 mins.
05 Oct 19, Rosslyn Major (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some Goosberrys that ive had a few years all dry,wanting to grow from seed can i plant now thank you .
Showing 101 - 110 of 557 comments

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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.
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