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
                T T T T
              P P P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in Australia - temperate 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

16 Jul 22, Dave (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Carol. Sorry to say in my experience possums can do that and if they don't rats will. Where we live I have mine planted in a hut made of chicken wire and stops all those problems. I think you'll have to protect yours better as well
07 Aug 22, Adrie (Australia - temperate climate)
We’re in regional Victoria and I have a cape gooseberry between a couple of roses. Nothing eats it. Not possums, rats, snails… It’s still flowering & fruiting prolifically in midwinter which I think is very odd. We had lots self down in a flower garden as a child and they fruited mid to late summer.
02 Jul 22, Carol (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We had a lovely Cape gooseberry plant growing in a pot and doing really well. Something over a week at nights has proceeded to demolish it first just the leaves then the unripe fruit then last night it has broken the whole plant and destroyed it...can you tell me if it would be possums or a rabbit maybe?
05 May 22, Mati (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello. I need a few information regarding something I have no knowledge. I've been asked to write a report on Cape Gooseberries (golden berries) and regular Gooseberry plant, how they differ from each other, and whether or not they're compatible with each other; as in if these two plants can be grown side by side. Now as I have zero idea on gardening, I'm having to fully rely on the internet. I've found most of what I need to know. Except for if these two plants can be grown in close proximity in a garden. Can someone kindly provide me with a detailed answer to this?
06 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Both gooseberries and ground cherries are very unique and distinctive fruits. Due to their different needs, they usually won’t be found together on the same plantation or state.(I don't know what the differences are but could be climate, temperatures etc). Taken from - https://foodiosity.com/gooseberries-vs-ground-cherries/
16 Sep 21, Kay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Libby: I moved to Katoomba about 33 years ago and also had a lovely bed of these gooseberries. They were doing really well out back although I often wonder if it was sunnier back then. Lost them with landscaping etc and am going to try again. Good Luck! Kay
29 Apr 21, Libby horth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
30 years ago when we first moved here we had some gooseberries growing and I would like to have them growing again - where can I get some seeds - I live in the blue mountains in NSW
05 Nov 21, Darren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had purchased some seeds from Bunnings this year and the plants are all doing well, with tiny fruit forming on everyone.
02 Oct 21, Romano (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought some from ebay. Growing for few months. They are about 60-70cm tall but no fruit yet.
27 Feb 21, Tony Duffy (Australia - temperate climate)
I've had a gooseberry bush for about 4 years and it has never fruited. It's very healthy with lots of new growth each year but never fruit. I live on the plains in Adelaide.
Showing 11 - 20 of 393 comments

Can't really help you - maybe being in the shade all day and staying wet most of the day due to overnight dew leads to some fungus and diseases. Plant some in a sunnier position next year. If leaves are nice and green it has sufficient fertiliser. If leaves are yellow it needs some fert.

- Mike L

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