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      
                T      
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 - 150 cm 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

04 Jul 15, Anna Spence (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Nova Scotia Canada..... Hi can I get these plants or seeds in Nova Scotia ? . Would love to grow them. Could you please let me know where I could purchase plants or seeds. Thankyou !
07 Oct 14, christine (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi there! Have been given one cape gooseberry fruit to enable me to grow from seed. My question is...ought I to wait till the yellow fruit dries totally before putting into soil or can I simply put the whole fruit into a plant pot and hope for the best??? I am keen to get it underway???
31 Aug 14, Alva (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We live in a black frost area. Hot wet summers and dry cold winters.
25 Mar 14, Pierre (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I am in Nelspruit,will Gooseberry grow here and can it be a profotable thing to plant? +- 4 ha Thank you
08 Feb 14, Joy Smith (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I have large health looking plants but they are not bearing fruit. They were self sown seedling which I planted out but they are just not bearing fruit. I always had an abundance of fruit from the parent plants. can you explain what the problem is.
14 May 17, Hans (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please ent me information of the pros an d cons of goose berries
06 Aug 13, Pam Oosthuizen (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Can I trim back the leggy branches after the Fruiting season?
05 Sep 12, Pieter Booyse (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am looking for cape gooseberry seeds in South Africa. Any contacts please. thanks
14 Aug 13, Lizelle (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
By far the best seed supplier is Livingseeds.co.za. They send the seeds to wherever you are, give excellent advice and the best service around.
08 May 13, Peter Combrink (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I took the seeds from a berry and planted it. Growing properly and lots of trees.
Showing 31 - 40 of 48 comments

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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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