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

13 Apr 13, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Carmel, Yes, the plants are perennial.
01 Dec 12, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Apparantly they are an annual in the temperate climates but mine has been growing fine for around 2 years now and still fruiting.
30 Dec 12, Lumpie (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Adelaide. My Cape Gooseberry is now about 7yo and I cut it back to a stump each year. This year it has grown to over 3mts tall and have had to prune it at 5mts spread so as to get cars into shed. It is prolific bearer, although this year have suffered from fruit drop.
23 Dec 18, Laura (Australia - temperate climate)
My Cape Gooseberry bush is dropping its fruit before the berries turn golden, the lanterns are dry and light brown, so they look right but they aren't. What do I need to do?
09 Nov 12, irene (Australia - temperate climate)
what if any fertilisers are rquired for cape gooseberrys and how often....have a bush that has gone yellow in the leaves and seems to be dropping its leaves and fruit before they are ripe...
06 Nov 12, aaron (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
hav been growing cape gooseberry plants for years now in Bluff.cold as it may be at times in the deep south, grown indoors or in a sheltered patio pot these plants can thrive here.one neglected specimen in the corner of my hot house grew to the roof,over 7ft. tip cuttings or lateral cuttings can root in a glass of water or pushed into moist soil.I found 6 to 8 cuttings planted in a circle about the diametre of a bucket results in a great sized bush in its second year.i also had a single stemed plant that i tied to the frame of a tunnel house and trained for a entire growing season pinching out all latteral growth the resulting frame burst out prolificly the following year..dried seeds sprinkled throughout the garden germinated prolificly and can esily be transplanted.Hard cutting back at the end of the fruiting season seems only to encourage better growth next year.Great plant to give away to friends also good plant indoor for kids.If i can grow it in windy cold old bluff ANY ONE CAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.tip,berries are awsome on top of pavalova instead of kiwfruit or strawberrys.
28 Sep 12, Janice Banner (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I bought my seeds from Edens Seeds, who are situated at Lower Beechmont. They sell heritage seeds, and are excellent to deal with. You can find them on line.
20 Sep 12, russ richards (Australia - temperate climate)
were can I get seeds for this plant ?
16 Sep 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do the plants lose vigour after a few yeard
05 Sep 12, Pieter Booyse (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am looking for cape gooseberry seeds in South Africa. Any contacts please. thanks
Showing 481 - 490 of 557 comments

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.