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 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.
  • Cape Gooseberry plant
  • Flowers
  • unripe fruit

A straggling bush up to one metre tall that bears yellow fruits inside a brown papery envelope. It is perennial. The cape gooseberry is related to tomatillo, ground cherry and husk tomato, all in the genus Physalis.

Cape Gooseberry is very easy to grow and as the fruit are popular with birds the plants can be easily spread around the garden. If you have plenty of room then plants grow better with 1.5 m of space. Spacing closer works but you may get less fruit.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cape Gooseberry

The berry is the size of a cherry tomato, is very aromatic and full of tiny seeds. They are delicious eaten fresh or can be made into jam. They can be added to salads, desserts and cooked dishes, they are delicious stewed with other fruit, especially apples. They also go well in savoury dishes with meat or seafood. Can be preserved dried as 'Inca Berries'

Your comments and tips

31 Oct 22, Jo-Anne Rossouw (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Planted seeds from Cape gooseberries which grew immediately. Now it looks like long spear zigzac on sides leaves and have clusters of red dots all over. What is that? Leaves are also turning redish on the ends. Is something wrong? Is it even gooseberries or am i pampering weeds?? Not sure about the red cluster of dots.
09 Nov 22, Aleta Baron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This year I sowed mine in pots. Last summer was too cold. My thinking is it is too cold yet with the red on leaves. Sow in pots and you will know exactly.
14 Aug 22, Anna (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Last season our gooseberries suffered a lot from the potato beetle. What biological / organic solutions are there for the effective control or even prevention thereof? If no effective biological solution exists, are there any chemical pesticides that have been tested with cape gooseberries and are recommended with pre-harvest intervals defined? Kindly let me know.
01 May 20, Wilma (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have been successful with planting my own gooseberry plant from seeds. Mind however not a bush but long stem which need support. How can I "train" or prune it into a bush.
08 Apr 20, Hugh Thenasia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
50cm between plants is not even close to sufficient IMHO. I have 2.5m between plants and can only just harvest comfortably...
09 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Never grown them but 50cm sounds far too close. If like tomatoes then 90-100 cm should be sufficient. The further apart the more soil the plant has to draw nutrient from and then the bigger the plant in size. I have zucchini plants approx 1.2m across, nothing growing near them.
22 Oct 19, Pippa (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Contact chirene at cfruit. [email protected]
11 Oct 19, Victor Jee (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Dear Sir I would like to know at what temperature will the gooseberry seed be destroyed 100c 150c or higher? Regards Victor Jee
13 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Killing seeds first depends on what plant, some require higher temps. Generally the lower the temp the longer to kill it. The higher the temp the less time required. Above about 180 F will kill most seeds. Temps of 180-200 F will kill most seeds in 30 mins.
04 Oct 18, Dirk (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Is there any export opportunities for Cape Goosberries and who can I contact?
Showing 1 - 10 of 48 comments

Can anyone tell me how and where I can get the Cape berries in the United states? Is it possible to buy the plant? Thanks, Jennifer

- Jennifer Sandler

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