Information about Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)

solanum.tuberosum · February 2023

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this. I am planning my raised garden bed for this year and I really wanted to do Physalis. Does anyone know information on them (when they are planted?, where to plant, where to buy?) It would be greatly appreciated.

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2023

I have grown Physalis from seed successfully. They did well and cropped well. However, they do grow into very large bushy plants. I grew mine in the veg. plot. I am assuming you want the fruiting variety rather than the decorative one.
As I have no memory of any problem I must have followed the instructions on the packet regarding sowing time etc. which was probably Spring sown, planted out early summer, cropping late summer into early autumn as I am sure they are not frost hardy.

solanum.tuberosum · February 2023

Thanks that is really helpful. I think when it gets to spring I will have a look on the internet for some seed packets and see where that takes me. You were correct in thinking I wanted the fruity ones.

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2023

I have some very bold robins this year. When I was replenishing the feeders two or three of the local bunch wanted to come and settle on the feeders while I was there but my cat was sitting at shoulder height on a nearby bank, which was too much for them.
The birds in general are eating me out of house and home at the minute, getting ready for the breeding season.

Pete.8 · February 2023

I'm going to have a go with them this year for the first time.
I bought seed from -
https://www.premierseedsdirect.com/product/vegetables-cape-gooseberry-physalis-peruviana/

I've bought seed from this co. for the last few years with good results.

solanum.tuberosum · February 2023

I will have a look thanks.

philippasmith2 · February 2023

I've grown Physalis for several years and find that if you sow and grow them more or less as you would tomatoes, they are very successful As @Joyce Goldenlily says, they are very large/bushy.
I've never bought seeds - instead, I buy some fruits and use the seeds from them. Kept correctly, the seeds are viable for a couple of years at least.
Worth doing if you have the space.

solanum.tuberosum · February 2023

Thanks. Do you know how wide they get roughly?

Watsonia · February 2023

I have grown them for the last few years, we love them. I grow them in pots and they get rather large. The couple I had planted out in beds needed staking. I found they do better for me in full sun and have quite a late fruiting season. So getting them started early ie on a window sill has worked better.

thevictorian · February 2023

I've grown them as well and started them from seed early like chilli as they tend to fruit later in the season. They can be overwintered if you have somewhere frost free and then they can grow into sizeable bushes and they fruit earlier.
They romp away is the ground but can be trained or pruned to a cane structure, so size depends on available space.

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2023

I found a packet of seeds in my local GC today. £3.99 The packet says
Position. Full sun/ part shade. Sow March/May. Harvest July/ Sept. Height 30 inches. Germination 21/30 days.
Kew Seeds. Physalis Golden Berry. On the front of the packet, it says Vegetable. On the reverse of the packet, it says Fruit. You pays your money and make your choice!
I seem to remember my previous plants grew to about 4ft, needed staking, and were about the same in width. Perhaps mine were particularly happy. solanum.tuberosum said:

Thanks. Do you know how wide they get roughly?

For some reason, I have a niggle at the back of my mind that the plants are quite hairy and prickly? Not sure though.

Information about Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)

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