Physalis Growing and Care Guide. Cape gooseberries, botanically classified as Physalis peruviana, are sweet and tangy fruits that belong to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Fruits are larger than other varieties, roughly 1 inch in diameter. The purplish, spreading branches are ribbed and covered with fine hairs. Known by many names, including Goldenberry, Husk Cherry, Peruvian Ground Cherry, and Poha berry, Cape gooseberries are native to South America and have spread around the world, naturalizing in many regions. Having grown the smaller type of ground cherry (Pineapple Cossack) with success, I saved the seeds from purchased Cape Gooseberries (grown in Peru), and sowed it in early spring of 2017. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Common Names: Cape Gooseberry, Chinese Lanterns, Groundcherry, Winter cherry, Golden strawberry. Cape Gooseberries The Cape gooseberry (Physalis edulis) is a quick-growing annual or perennial fruit plant that originates in South America. The cape gooseberry will grow in any well-drained soil but does best on sandy to gravelly loam.. how do you look after a Cape gooseberry? In more tropical climates cape gooseberries are perennial and will apparently fruit all year round. It is perennial. In cool climates, Cape Gooseberry is grown as an annual, when cold and frost end the growing season. Can grow to 6 feet ( cm) during one season but 2-3 feet ( cm)is more common and has a very sprawling habit. Cape gooseberry or Goldenberry – This species grows extra large, with plants reaching 4 feet tall. Native: All species are from the Americas with the exception of Physalis alkekengi, which is native from southern Europe through to Japan/East China. Its outdoors at the moment, but not certain - at what point in the autumn I will need to bring it into the greenhouse - how to best prepare it in advance for overwintering Ta for any ideas. The cape gooseberry is an annual in temperate regions and a perennial in the tropics. Cape gooseberry plant cannot grow well in muddy soil. Cape Gooseberry is very easy to grow and as the fruit are popular with birds the plants can be easily spread around the garden. Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Cultivate the cape gooseberry fruits when the husks are dry. Under good conditions it can reach 6 ft. but will need support. Cape gooseberry plant should be watered regularly and kept under close monitoring of drainage as well, so that the water does not clog in the soil. Simply so, are cape gooseberries perennial? Soil: The cape gooseberry will grow in any well drained soil but does best on sandy to gravelly loam. I have been given the perennial type of cape gooseberry - a single stem about 18 inches high at the moment. https://mygardenguide.com/plants/cape-gooseberry-physalis-peruviana Click to see full answer. Bowl of ripe cape gooseberries with husks. Production is not as heavy as other varieties, and they tend to ripen later than others. Description of Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana). It has been grown extensively in many parts of South Africa for the little golden berries that are produced in abundance, on bushes that can reach a height of about 1m. To my utter delight, it germinated very easily, and the plant grew very well and healthy alongside my tomato seedlings. If you have plenty of … The cape gooseberry is related to tomatillo, ground cherry and husk tomato, all in the genus Physalis. LYNDA HALLINAN / NZ GARDENER. But in warm climates, Cape Gooseberry can be grown as a short-lived perennial for 3-4 years. A spreading soft stemmed bush that grows as a perennial in zones 8 and warmer and is grown as an annual in colder zones (7 and above). Growth Habit: The cape gooseberries is a soft-wooded, perennial, somewhat vining plant usually reaching 2 to 3 ft. in height. Grows as a perennial in zone 8 and above. 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