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            
    T T T T T T        
    P P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - 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 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

22 May 17, Wilgara (Australia - temperate climate)
At what time would you plant the seeds Johnno? I have a hot house. This plant was a gift to me and I just harvested the seeds from the last fruit which was about the size of a large pea. It is still in the pot. Many thanks. Wilgara
24 May 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
You would normally plant the seeds from August through December but you could start them in June or July in a hot house ready for a good start in spring.
13 May 17, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
In Nov 2016 I posted that I'd bought seeds of the Johnson World Kitchen brand. I sowed them straight into the ground. I am now (in May) harvesting big cape gooseberries which are great. Very easy to grow, I use composted horse manure/kitchen scraps and they seem to love it.
25 Apr 17, malcolm (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Cape gooseberries. My grandfather got some from north Queensland, way back when and grew them at Sandgate, Qld., so I grew up with them. I moved from Alderley to Brighton to Runcorn and the gooseberries followed. Here at Runcorn is the only place I have not planted them but they appeared from nowhere. Easy to grow from fruit. After 2 years, a ladybird type bug eats the leaves and the plant dies, but plenty of seedlings grow.Ps. my grandfather passed away in 1977 and I'm 62, so they've been around for quite awhile.
10 May 17, Akmar (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Malcolm. Do u care to prolong the lineage of your gooseberries? I've been actively looking for gooseberry seeds. A few days back i found one but it was a much smaller variety. U can whatsapp me on +60173080355.
17 Apr 17, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
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.
13 Apr 17, Rosemary (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Where can I buy cape gooseberry seeds. I have rung Yates and Diggers but no success. I live in s aus. Thank you
15 Apr 17, Caroline Johnson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Rosemary, I bought two cape gooseberries only a few months ago and planted them in my n. facing Adelaide Hills food garden. They have grown like crazy and are loaded with fruit...trouble is I just cannot remember where I got them...but I buy seedlings at Heynes Norwood, or Crafers garden centre sometimes and only once recently at Cleland nursery in Stirling. they are as tall and wider than staked tomatoe bushes with a fruit for every leaf!
14 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look online for The Seed Collection. Green Harvest and Eden Seeds. They all have it along with lots of other fascinating seeds.
22 Mar 17, Peter Lake (Australia - temperate climate)
I have recently purchased and potted up a Cape Gooseberry. It was a bit straggly so I trimmed it back a bit. I have used a good quality potting mix and have kept the water up to the plant. Having done all this the plant is now wilting as if there is too much moisture in the pot. I have kept the pot out of the sun as it has been very hot in Melbourne and the plant was starting to frizzle a bit. Any ideas as to the wilting? I am thinking I might transplant into a garden bed. Do you think this is necessary or should I just leave it. Regards Peter Lake
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