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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02 Apr 20, aileen cooke (Australia - temperate climate)
last time... the fruit failed to mature and some leaves went yellow and fell and the branches became straggly now it's autumn.it has bulked up. it's having another go...with flower. I love the plant. where am I going wrong?
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28 Jun 20, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
The roots of the goldenberry are quite shallow and prone to drying out. If you are growing the plant in soil perhaps you could try a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
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03 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There is a notice at the bottom of the page " 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."
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31 Mar 20, Noel Ling (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Comment: I have a self sown cape gooseberry (2 years old) in front of a small hothouse. Going absolutely mad in growth and fruit. don't water, fertilize or prune. height 6 ft, width 5 ft. probably need to pull it out before it totally covers entrance. is this type of growth normal?
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01 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is probably receiving water from you watering other plants. Plants don't grow without there being water and fert from somewhere. If you want to keep eating them maybe prune it back around the doorway. I had 5 agapanthus plants, fert them watered them put some good compost around them. Wouldn't grow much. Dug them out yesterday. Roots from the passionfruit (1.5m away) were everywhere. Passionfruit was stealing all the water and fert.
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13 Mar 20, Jerbear64 (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I simply got the seeds from the berries I purchased at the grocery store.
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10 Jan 20, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I ripen the fallen fruit? It’s hull is papery and crisp but still quite green inside. I’ve tried them on a sunny window ledge with no success
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13 Jan 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If really immature they probably won't ripen. Think about protecting them from the wind or what caused them to fall off.
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30 Dec 19, Frank (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
How long after sewing the seeds can you expect berries? In my area can they be left out year round?
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28 Mar 20, Vertical Gardener (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
I'm in Vancouver and grow cape gooseberries every year. I have never seen them last beyond October. They die back every year, well before the snow arrives.
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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

- Canh

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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.
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