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
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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.
  • Cape Gooseberry plant
  • Flowers
  • unripe fruit

A straggling bush up to one metre tall that bears yellow fruits inside a brown papery envelope. It is perennial. The cape gooseberry is related to tomatillo, ground cherry and husk tomato, all in the genus Physalis.

Cape Gooseberry is very easy to grow and as the fruit are popular with birds the plants can be easily spread around the garden. If you have plenty of room then plants grow better with 1.5 m of space. Spacing closer works but you may get less fruit.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cape Gooseberry

The berry is the size of a cherry tomato, is very aromatic and full of tiny seeds. They are delicious eaten fresh or can be made into jam. They can be added to salads, desserts and cooked dishes, they are delicious stewed with other fruit, especially apples. They also go well in savoury dishes with meat or seafood. Can be preserved dried as 'Inca Berries'

Your comments and tips

06 Nov 12, aaron (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
hav been growing cape gooseberry plants for years now in Bluff.cold as it may be at times in the deep south, grown indoors or in a sheltered patio pot these plants can thrive here.one neglected specimen in the corner of my hot house grew to the roof,over 7ft. tip cuttings or lateral cuttings can root in a glass of water or pushed into moist soil.I found 6 to 8 cuttings planted in a circle about the diametre of a bucket results in a great sized bush in its second year.i also had a single stemed plant that i tied to the frame of a tunnel house and trained for a entire growing season pinching out all latteral growth the resulting frame burst out prolificly the following year..dried seeds sprinkled throughout the garden germinated prolificly and can esily be transplanted.Hard cutting back at the end of the fruiting season seems only to encourage better growth next year.Great plant to give away to friends also good plant indoor for kids.If i can grow it in windy cold old bluff ANY ONE CAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.tip,berries are awsome on top of pavalova instead of kiwfruit or strawberrys.
18 May 14, Carolien (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow cape goose berries from cuttings or only from seeds??? Thanks
01 Dec 17, jennifer alex (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow golden berries at my kitchen garden. i sow some seeds and now they are tiny plants. i am waiting for the fruits.
03 Dec 17, Des Harvey (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Capegooseberry is planted in a lge pot and was planted in fruit / vge mix. The plant has a good crop of fruit but appears to be yellowing. could i be giving it too much water or should i give it some fertiliser and if so what ???? Many thanks DES HARVEY
14 May 18, Gayle Coppins (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I am keen to grow cape gooseberries as had them when I lived in Wellington and loved them. Is anyone willing to sell/give me a plant or seeds?Or can tell me where I might buy the same here in Taupo?
21 May 18, Dawn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
For the safety of my grandkids I pulled out all of my gooseberries cos they are almost identical to the shoo fly plant which I prefer to keep But I did find in my seed box a bag with 4 lonely gooseberry seeds that you are welcome to. I am in Whakatane
16 Nov 18, Mehdi Malekmohammadi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, I am very keen to plant Physalis and wondering if someone guide me how to get the seeds and where to buy the plant of this herb?
18 Nov 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try to find some seed selling people/companies on the internet in NZ.
19 Nov 18, Joanna Hingston (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I have a large plant you are welcome to if you live locally. I'm in North Canterbury
11 Dec 18, Mary Carshalton (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Joanna, I live in Woodend would love a piece of your cape goosberry. How can I find out your phone number?
Showing 1 - 10 of 30 comments

Are cape gooseberries and ground cherries the same?

- Elisabeth

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