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Growing Cape Gooseberry, also Golden Berry,

(Physalis peruviana)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    S   P              

(Best months for planting Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • 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: 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with: Will happily grow in a flower border
  • 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 and can tolerate some frost. The cape gooseberry is related to tomatillo, ground cherry and husk tomato, all in the genus Physalis.

The Cape Gooseberry is very easy to grow and as the fruit are popular with birds and plants can be easily spread around the garden.

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.


Your comments and tips

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24 Apr 13, Jennifer Sandler (USA - Zone 5a climate)
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
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12 Apr 13, ROY BRYANT (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I am planting Cape Gooseberry plants in Central new Jersey, My question is: After growing all summer will they survive the winter?
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10 Apr 13, Joanne (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Will gooseberries grow for me in the Sacramento valley of California? Would they prefer sun or shade? Thank you!
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05 Dec 12, Deb Reid (Australia - temperate climate)
How you do eradicate the 3-lined Lema beetle which attacks the leaves and stresses the plant at all 3 stages of its life please?
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27 Sep 10, Don (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can anyone offer advice on growing cape gooseberries on the Gulf Coast? I have seeds and I'm curious about when to plant them.
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19 Nov 10, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Don, you should be able to grow cape gooseberries most of the year on the Gulf Coast. Frost or drought will affect them but otherwise they like warm, humid weather.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Cape Gooseberry

Don, you should be able to grow cape gooseberries most of the year on the Gulf Coast. Frost or drought will affect them but otherwise they like warm, humid weather.

- Liz


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