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 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.

Your comments and tips

22 Oct 15, Indrajit Roy (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear Canh I live in Canberra. Once I tried to grow gooseberry but I failed, as it could not survive Canberra's winter chill. I am interested to grow cape gooseberry by taking (if possible) small cutting from you. If you live in Canberra, I may (if you allow me) drive down to your place and collect the cuttings. Looking forward to hear from you. Kind regards, Indrajit
20 Aug 13, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks for the information Canh; it's very useful! I'm going to try growing some from seed from my mom's plant and I think I'll give growing them from cuttings a go too!
16 Jan 12, Annie (Australia - temperate climate)
I would absolutely love to buy a small gooseberry tree off you, I live in batemans bay and am able to pick it up it that's ok with you. My phone number is 0478004132 or if unable to contact me on that number my partner Robs number is 0449818956. Seeing that comment you posted made my day!! I haven't had a gooseberry in years and would love my own plant! :) please be in contact :)
11 Jan 12, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello canh, if you still have any surplus new plants I'd like to have one. We grew a cape gooseberry years ago and really enjoyed the flavour, so I'd like to grew it again. I'm in Gowrie (tuggeranong). cheers, Greg C
20 Jan 12, Canh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Greg, Unfortunately, the gooseberry plants are more are popular than I first thought. Pretty much everyone at my work I've talked to about the gooseberry plant they all seemed to want one so I am out of stock, lol.. I will pot a few more this weekend but if you're happy to get a few cuttings from me to see if you can get it to strike you're most welcome. Otherwise you have to wait for about 3 weeks or so. Like I said in my post, it's very easy to take off and very quick to establish. I live in Kambah so not far from you. My mobile is 0403 706 007 send me a text and i'll reply with my address or i can drop a few cuttings to you if you don't want to wait for the ones i am making this weekend to take off.. Canh
11 Jan 12, NAFISA (Australia - arid climate)
I would dearly love some baby Cape Gooseberry Plants!!! Would like to give them a go here where I live in hot Broken Hill, which a bit far from you. Do you think you could wrap a few with a bit of potting soil around the roots and then in plastic or damp newspaper and send them to me in a little box? I do receive some baby plants this way from Nurseries, and sent Express Mail, they arrive happily ready for transplanting. I would be happy to pay postage or whatever. Your story is so good!! Nafisa
20 Jan 12, Canh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nafisa, I just replied to Greg telling him that I've given all my potted gooseberry plants to people at my work. I've been giving away fresh cucumbers and zuuchinis at work and telling people about the cape gooseberry plants. So they were all very curious and wanted to plant them. So i am out of of stock at the moment but I am going to do a big batch this weekend and sure I am happy to send a few out to you once they take roots or I am happy to wrap them in wet newspaper and put them in Chinese take way plastic container and post to you if you want to grow them from cuttings yourself. My mobile is 0403 706 007, text me your address and let me know if you want to wait til they taken roots or send you just the cuttings. They are very easy to take roots, just follow my instructions from the original post if you want to try it yourself. Canh
31 Dec 11, Pat (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I am interested in growing golden berry/cape gooseberry. I live in Florida. Do you think they will grow in a tropical climate? Also, can I get seeds from you? (I live in the northwest part of Florida)
09 Jan 12, Canh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Pat.. I used to live in Tasmania. In Winter Tasmania's weather can get down to -3c or more. So when the frost comes the plant will atleast die back unless you cover the plant to protect it from the frost. If you don't have a greenhouse or big plastic bag or sheets it is best to cut/ prune the plant back to around 25cm above ground level, put some dry leaves around the base of the plant and then cover the plant in thick clear plastic until the frost/ cold season has passed. I used to do this every Autumn about 6 weeks before Winter. I take the cover off about 6 weeks into Spring. By then the frost should be gone and new shoots should be emerging from the plant. By mid Summer your plant should be covered in berries. Every few years I make new plants from cuttings to replace the parent plants.. Goodluck...
30 Nov 17, john (Australia - temperate climate)
hi canh im in launceston now just brought a plant so was happy to read what you had to do thanks mate
Showing 361 - 370 of 393 comments

I live in Queensland- Brisbane northside and would like to get hold of some seeds or a seedling. Does anyone know where I can locate some close-by?? Thanks, Mel.

- Melody

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.