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

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08 Mar 16, roger baddeley (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Perth and want to find out where I can buy Cape Gooseberries.
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14 May 16, anthony (Australia - temperate climate)
seeds can be bought at garden outlets - I grow some myself - if you want some seeds - let me know
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25 Jun 16, Elise Menne (Australia - temperate climate)
hI ANTHONY, dO YOU STILL HAVE SOME GOOSEBERRY SEEDS?? I AM IN PERTH
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07 Mar 16, Cherrie (Australia - temperate climate)
Plants are available from Bunnings. I bought one today. I used to pick them growing wild when I was a child.
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06 Mar 16, Arend Treurnicht (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Dear Ruth Morgan, bought a biggish plant from a local nursery. All went well until some bugs invaded, grazed the leaves and even started laying eggs on the underside in the curled-up leaves. Since propagated many small from the seeds, as well as seeds from ones I bought in the local shop, washed over a tea-sieve, dried on a kitchen roll and then into a Zip-lock folded into the damp kitchen-roll, damp and leave in peace for a fortnight. Very promising and keeping eyes on the old mother-plant as well as all the new seedlings. Very promising but this year the heat is merciless. First drops are falling and we hope they will thrive.
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01 Mar 16, Errol (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I recall a type of Goooseberry that grew wild on the farm on which I spent my childhood in the Mary Valley Queensland. The fruit was edible but had a strong taste. I tried to grow the common gooseberry once without success. I would like to try again. Where is the best place to source plants in the Brisbane area? What soil type do they prefer?
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01 Mar 16, Bron Ramey (Australia - temperate climate)
I assume you refer Cape Gooseberry. I found seeds at big box shop in the specialist range. Why not Google that? They like warmth, fertile soil, I pruned mine at 6 inches. I have found they are slow growing in afternoon shad. Next time I will put in full sun however, our temperate zone here on the coast Newcastle is very very hot and humid this year. Seeds came up easy!
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24 Feb 16, Jeane Briggs (Australia - temperate climate)
I just bought dried Goji Berries and Inca Berries from Coles and enjoyed the taste. Would love to grow both as I have a medium sized backyard. Please advise. Thanks and enjoy your day.
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03 Feb 16, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I just received mine from Fairdinkum seeds (they're located in Gin Gin) - can purchase them online - with free postage!! Regards Michelle
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01 Feb 16, Albert Johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
Reply to Mick Dodd. I have surplus seedlings of Cape Gooseberry, pick up in Beechboro if you would like some, free.
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Search -- edible.co.nz Full sun Shelter from winds and tolerates moderate salty marine conditions. Are frost tender and grows as an annual in colder regions. In warmer areas they will grow for several seasons producing seedlings to continue the plants. Frosts can burn the plants but will recover unless the frost was hard. Prune back after all frosts have passed. Cape Gooseberries will grow in a wide range of soils and pHs. Soil must be well draining. Plants will handle periods of drought but too much moisture could encourage fungal problems. Plant in early spring as this will help with an earlier fruit set, space 0.5-1.5 apart. In most situations Cape Gooseberries do not need any fertiliser. Unneeded fertiliser could result in lots of vegetation and little fruit. Pinch out new shoots to encourage bushy growth. Prune back hard in spring to encourage new growth for fruiting. Pests Very few problems unless the soil is too wet and causes fungal problems and rot. ------------------------------------------- if you are going to fertilise only put small amounts on. A 9L water can with a tablespoon or two of fertiliser - with a low N% with some P and K. Don't use the tomato fertiliser - far too much N. A suggestion - a little manure or compost mixed into the soil - compost or mulch around the plants will help cool the soil down in summer - also you will save water by doing this. With your high temperatures I would suggest you make a shade cover for summer - in Australia we have shade cloth - 50-70-90%. Find some cheap wood off cuts and make a frame - then nail the shade cloth to it. Or some black poly pipe about 25mm thick and make an arc over the plants. By the article the plants should only grow to a meter or so high.

- Mike

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