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

22 Sep 16, Mark (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I grew some Cape Gooseberry from seed I purchased from a store, and I am interested in saving my own seed for next spring. What is the best way to do that? Thank you, Mark Gregson
29 Oct 14, Margaret (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
can I grow these in southern Manitoba in my garden as a peranial or can I grow it in a container as an annual
Showing 31 - 32 of 32 comments

Dear Ruth Morgan, bought a biggish plant from a local nursery. All went well until some bugs invaded, grazed the leaves and even started laying eggs on the underside in the curled-up leaves. Since propagated many small from the seeds, as well as seeds from ones I bought in the local shop, washed over a tea-sieve, dried on a kitchen roll and then into a Zip-lock folded into the damp kitchen-roll, damp and leave in peace for a fortnight. Very promising and keeping eyes on the old mother-plant as well as all the new seedlings. Very promising but this year the heat is merciless. First drops are falling and we hope they will thrive.

- Arend Treurnicht

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