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

05 Jan 12, Canh (Australia - temperate climate)
How I got my Cape Gooseberry to grow from a cutting..The cutting I managed to get was about 3cm long. It was the tip of one of the branches. When I got it home after a 30 minutes car drive, I let the cutting soak in cool tap water for a couple of hours. Then I put the cutting into a small pot with 3/4 of soil. I then put 3 small stakes about 15cm above the pot level wedged around the edge of the pot. Then I use a clear plastic bag and covered the pot. I made a small hole in the bag for ventilation and also for watering the pot without having to take the plastic bag off. keeping it moist but not damped I noticed the cutting was getting bigger and side shoots began to show. When it got to about 15cm tall I transplant the gooseberry into a glasshouse. about 3 months later the gooseberry plant is over 1.5metre tall and has dozens of side shoots over a meter tall. It's like going wild in my glasshouse. And yes, the tree is loaded with fruit but not riped to pick as yet. Since my cape gooseberry took off and produced many side shoots I've been making more cuttings. Now I don't know what the hell I am going to do with all the new plants I've made. So it is very easy to grow Cape Gooseberry from cuttings as long as the cutting has a tip or a nod/ bud where branches or new side shoots going to come out of. Anyone in the Canberra area wanting a cutting or small Gooseberry tree let me know.
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
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
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 :)
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!
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
26 Jan 18, Wilson (USA - Zone 4b climate)
To some that posted replies on this page... Cape Gooseberry is not a gooseberry tree, it is a ground cherry.
12 Jan 12, Frog (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I recently found my childhood memory cape gooseberries when revisiting Mt Tamborine. The new householder I visited did not know how precious her plants were to me, and hopefully now to her. I have some fruit, which I won't eat, as I want to plant. Do I dry them, store in fridge and plant March, as 'green harvest' mentioned or just leave whole fruit in ground, and magic happens.
Showing 31 - 40 of 556 comments

I remember these when a child living in South Africa. Living now in USA Maine zone 4b will they survive if I bring the inside for the winter? Really would like to grow some.

- David

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.