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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10 Sep 14, Crinia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I prune mine back hard whenever they get too leggy. Best to prune at the end of fruiting season. I put some in the poly house over winter and they have shot back fine. The two I left out in the frost as an experiment have not regrown.
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26 Nov 14, Stuart (Australia - temperate climate)
many years ago when i lived in England we grew goosberries in the back garden then lived through cold,frost,snow,you name it they were fine,alas i`m not sure what type of goosberry they were.
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09 Sep 14, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I gave mine a hard pruning after it stopped flowering/fruiting last year and it's now sprouting again. I live in Tasmania so kept it in my hothouse in a pot over winter.
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24 Aug 14, Amanda Mac (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am interested in purchasing some cape gooseberry seeds. I am on the northside of Brisbane. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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25 Aug 14, Emily (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a cape gooseberry in my garden (north brisbane) if you would like to take some fruit for seeds
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31 Aug 14, Anitha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi can I have some fruit for seeds too....
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18 Aug 14, Ruth (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all, Is it true that all parts of the Cape Gooseberries (including the unripe fruit) are toxic? There seems to be conflicting info out there. I started some seeds from the Diggers Club undercover over a month ago, just sprouting now, so will plant out against a fence to keep away from frost. - Melbourne has had more frost than last year. Great germination rate so 20 was probably too many but looking forward to my first harvest. Awesome site by the way. Just found it today...
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25 Aug 14, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I believe the unripe fruit are toxic to animals.
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29 Jul 14, Julie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They handle light frost well. Only leaf damage and kept on growing. These are also excellent chicken treats to keep them away from your valuable veggies.
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09 Jul 14, Glenda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just purchased some gooseberry seeds which I will plant in August. I live 40 kms west of Bundaberg in Qld. My question is do they require a lot of watering?
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Can these be perennial in zone 7? If I keep them out all winter and will they grow back next spring? I hear they are perenial but not sure about growing them in my zone.

- Tammy r

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