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

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13 Jan 22, Elisabeth (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Are cape gooseberries and ground cherries the same?
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17 Jan 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Ground cherries (Physalis spp.), often called cape gooseberries, are native in many parts of the United States and often grow in fields and alongside roads.
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05 Aug 22, Marijke Warners (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Some of the flowers have turned into green spiky husks, then turned a dark brown/black. Is this normal?
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12 Aug 22, (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
I don’t have a papery husk but green and brown serrated ‘things’ after flowering. When I open the brown ones they look like seed pods. What to do?
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27 Oct 22, Fawn E Rosenberg (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I have 6-8 inch cape gooseberry plants in a pot, which were started from seed during the summer. I brought them inside since we are expecting our first frost tomorrow. What can I do to keep them thriving through our upcoming harsh winter? And how long until they will bear fruit? Thank you!
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30 Oct 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 6b climate)
They are a spring summer crop - not something you grow through winter.
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03 Dec 22, Tammy r (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Can these be perennial in zone 7? If I keep them out all winter and will they grow back next spring? I hear they are perenial but not sure about growing them in my zone.
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02 Sep 23, William (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can you grow cape gooseberries in hardiness zone 6b? Me and my mom want to grow it in our garden next year but i need to do research on them to know.
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Showing 41 - 48 of 48 comments
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Ground cherries (Physalis spp.), often called cape gooseberries, are native in many parts of the United States and often grow in fields and alongside roads.

- Anonymous

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