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              

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 5a 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 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 - 59 inches 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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19 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
I watched Gardening Australia tonight on ABC TV - story on Tomatillo. There are 3 varieties/kind - one a medium size. one small and the third are bigger and push through the shell. Cape Gooseberry and Tomatillo are related so maybe this explains the concern you have.
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25 Jan 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I sow seeds in November last year which was bought from Bunnings and they are still very tiny plants around 15cm height. Not sure what's wrong or do I just need to be patience?
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27 Jan 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I think you have very poor soil. Or it is very hot temperature. Try again early autumn.
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16 Nov 20, Sue Nicoll (Australia - temperate climate)
What causes cape gooseberry leaves to start turning blackish. Growing in large pot and has fruit on it. Seems healthy apart from the blackness on most of the leaves. We have a bore, not sure if this is causing the problem
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23 Dec 20, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
conditions very close to a frost can cause blackening of the leaves. Cover the plants when you expect temperatures to dip below 2deg C during colder months.
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18 Nov 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Phone an agric company with an agronomist and ask them.
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04 Oct 20, Kahu (Australia - tropical climate)
Why has my cape gooseberry gone white.
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08 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Might have powdery mildew. Google it and do some research.
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11 Sep 20, Rodney Lewis (Australia - temperate climate)
Does the Inca berry tolerate lower temperatures throughout winter and frosts Being a perennial will it continue to grow and produce through the colder months
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14 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If you can grow in a cool/mountain climate then it will tolerate winter temps. A perennial will generally have a growing time ,a fruiting time and a quiet time (winter).
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Showing 61 - 70 of 557 comments
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-I planted the seeds from the berries I had from the store. -I live on Long Island, NY. -I started them in a small pot, a bit too late to sow- so I kept them indoor. I have my own odd ways of trying things- but this has been my biggest thriving indoor plant. (It was tiny and slow growing for a few months and then one day they just shot up and just keep growing a couple feet tall, and some are crazy looking (like one stem made a complete u-turn because the wall was in the way lol)... But for a start off-let's see if this will work experiment, it surprisingly worked out well. I will do it outdoors this year for sure. My second best plant has been dragon fruit.... So weird I know. I gave some pots with them already 6-12 inches high to people in VA and South Carolina, and some how- no one could grow it larger, and mine is looking like cousin it with green spiked hair. Lol.

- Tara Sikorski

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