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            
    T T T T T T        
    P P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
01 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
In my experience, they grow fine in full sun, but they bear more fruit if they have a bit of shade. I plant mine in flowerbeds and sheltered behind taller trees/plants, so they get morning sun and then dappled shade for the rest of the day.
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30 Jul 16, Glenn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in North Lakes, Brisbane and would like to get hold of some seeds or seedlings or a plant. Does anyone know where I can get them from
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18 Nov 16, Simone (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Glenn Ebay has seed supplier in SA. Littlebee*2010 Simone
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20 Nov 16, Amy Robertson (Australia - temperate climate)
Also try Greenpatch seeds, they'll post a small plant, mine are doing great from them.
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25 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Glenn, Cape Gooseberry seeds are readily available in Tasmania. If you provide details, I will send you a packet. Regards.
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30 May 18, Sue (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Could you let me know where I could buy some seeds?
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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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Hi, i live in Ontario. I got a golden berry in the husk from the market. i saved the seeds as folows: open the fruit, squeeze all flesh and fruit in a strainer. Wash it well, the flesh will separate. Pick it up and wash the seeds some more. Then you can put them on a paper towel to dry, they will stick to that but you can plant them with the paper, no problem. Or put them on a plate, let them dry well adn the bag them or plant them. I planted about half the seeds. Cover lightly with soil and i set them under growing lights, covered. I started them in January, they took about 3 weeks to emerge, uncovered and let them grow under lights. Potted them up. They say do not fetilize, but the leaves came yellow with green stripes, so i fed them fish emulsion diluted. They grew beautiful. Fed them about 3 times only. Never since. It is end of May and couple of them have a handfull of flowers. I experimented with pinching the top. Online they say do not pinch, let them grow 9 to 12 nodes and they will split naturally. true. The ones not pinched split and the first flowers grows right there. The pinched ones do not have any flowers yet, they are bushier though. I will plant them out in sandy soil in a week. I will save seeds this year and can send to anyone in Canada wanting to try. They are annuals in zone 5 so you need to start them every year. Very easy to grow, and if they make 150 to 300 fruits per plant it is well worth it. In the husk they store up to 3 months at room temperature. I can let you know how long will take from seed to fruit. Have fun !!!

- Adela

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