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 S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P P         P P P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - sub-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

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01 Dec 13, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
I usually wait till they are about to fall off the tree, as the husk has to be brown and like paper. The fruit inside should be a yellowy/orange colour as well.
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11 Nov 13, K (Australia - temperate climate)
My cape gooseberries split inside its papery cover so I end up throwing them away. any hints to remedy this situation.
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01 Dec 13, Slice Of Eden (Australia - temperate climate)
One thing that can cause this is over watering as the fruit develops as it swells the fruit too quickly compared with the rate the skin grows. Try reducing watering if you may have been a little heavy-handed with the hose. It can happen with tomatoes also.
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05 Nov 13, BARBARA SKELTON (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The leaves of my goosberry bush are turning yellow. Does this mean we need to fertilise more often?
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30 Aug 14, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I have observed my leaves turning yellow also, but what I have noticed is that as they turn yellow, there are new young green leaves [new growth] appearing right next to yellow leaves.these are just old leaves dying off as new leaves appear. Hope this helps. SUE
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30 Oct 13, Henry Phaltas (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear sirs, I love to have GOODBERRY........IS THIS INCA BERRY,.......ALSO MACA......do you have BOTH SEEDS. I live in SYDNEY.......High regards Henry
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26 Oct 13, Henry (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear Sirs, Kindlt advise how I buy the seeds of incaberry. Regards Henry
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08 Sep 13, Kay Bodman (Australia - temperate climate)
My bush is covered in 'fruit' - they stay green, very few ripen. if they do they are only half recipe. Many do not form. The bush is in full sun, very drained, and fed. Any clues. I am lucky to get 25 pods per week. Thak you
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04 Sep 13, Kay White (Australia - tropical climate)
Bunnings sell cape gooseberry plants in Queensland
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03 Sep 13, Kaye (Australia - tropical climate)
I have very vigourous looking plants with a few pods but nothing in them. What am I doing wrong? Ihave a friend nearby who gets heaps or fruit so it,s not my zone.
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Showing 301 - 310 of 393 comments
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Search -- edible.co.nz Full sun Shelter from winds and tolerates moderate salty marine conditions. Are frost tender and grows as an annual in colder regions. In warmer areas they will grow for several seasons producing seedlings to continue the plants. Frosts can burn the plants but will recover unless the frost was hard. Prune back after all frosts have passed. Cape Gooseberries will grow in a wide range of soils and pHs. Soil must be well draining. Plants will handle periods of drought but too much moisture could encourage fungal problems. Plant in early spring as this will help with an earlier fruit set, space 0.5-1.5 apart. In most situations Cape Gooseberries do not need any fertiliser. Unneeded fertiliser could result in lots of vegetation and little fruit. Pinch out new shoots to encourage bushy growth. Prune back hard in spring to encourage new growth for fruiting. Pests Very few problems unless the soil is too wet and causes fungal problems and rot. ------------------------------------------- if you are going to fertilise only put small amounts on. A 9L water can with a tablespoon or two of fertiliser - with a low N% with some P and K. Don't use the tomato fertiliser - far too much N. A suggestion - a little manure or compost mixed into the soil - compost or mulch around the plants will help cool the soil down in summer - also you will save water by doing this. With your high temperatures I would suggest you make a shade cover for summer - in Australia we have shade cloth - 50-70-90%. Find some cheap wood off cuts and make a frame - then nail the shade cloth to it. Or some black poly pipe about 25mm thick and make an arc over the plants. By the article the plants should only grow to a meter or so high.

- Mike

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