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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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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18 Jul 20, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
If you're growing cape gooseberry through these colder winter months, keep an eye on the developing calyx (outer shell) around the fruit and make sure the flower petal has fully detached from the calyx. Sometimes the flower will get trapped in the end of the calyx and will develop mould, which might eventually lead to necrosis of the calyx itself and the developing fruit. Most times you can just gently tap the calyx to free the flower, but sometimes you may need to gently pry it with your fingertips.
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06 Jul 20, Miri (Australia - temperate climate)
How long do cape gooseberry live for?
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07 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is perennial so will grow for a few years.
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07 Jul 20, Astrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If well taken care of, more than 20 years.
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28 May 20, Reda Soliman (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Can I plant golden gooseberry fruit at Illinois ZIP Code 60007
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14 Apr 20, Tina Christopher (Australia - temperate climate)
While leaning over the gooseberry plant , I started coughing And difficult in breathing , can you get a reaction of this plant
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07 Apr 20, Charlene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, Do they prefer sunlight, shade or semi shade?
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08 Apr 20, Hugh Thenasia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Bright sunlight is best and no need to water heavily. ;-)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 393 comments
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I gave my father 3 Cape Gooseberry seedlings for his 90th birthday on 13th April. He lives and works on a farm in the Hunter Valley, NSW growing oranges commercially. In the Winter they get frosts and the summer it is very hot. When would be the best time to plant the seedlings and where? In the meantime does he keep them protected for the winter and where? How much water do they need? 50 years ago he had a Cape Gooseberry bush growing next to the house and it had fruit on it for many years. He can't remember how to look after it and neither can I as I was too young, but I do remember how nice they were to eat and mum made beautiful jam from them. Thank you for any advice.

- Diane

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