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

19 Nov 12, Carmel (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I need to plant new plants each,or are the plants perennial
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...
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
31 Aug 12, Melody (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Qld and you can often find the seeds you want on ebay or other seed selling sites. Be aware they cant always send to all states! Goodluck
Showing 331 - 340 of 392 comments

Give it a try - put about 8-10" of the vine in the water. Change the water each 3 days - it might take 2-4 weeks for roots to shoot. I'm doing Malabar Spinach at the moment.

- Mike

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