PlantSowGrow
How to grow Cape Gooseberry (Physalis)
Physalis peruviana
Golden, sweet-sharp berries wrapped in papery lanterns — easy to grow like a tomato and lovely in desserts.
At a glance: Sow early February to early March, harvest from early August.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Cape Gooseberry (Physalis): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- In pots
- Grows well in containers
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 150 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 9–11
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Early February – early March · 10 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 10–21 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid February – late February
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 10–21 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 60 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late February – early March
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Late April · 11 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Early May – early June · 3 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 60 cm apart and water in well.
- 7–21 days after “Plant Out” · Mid May – late May
Add Support
Stake the bushy plants or support them with a frame.
- 90–111 days after “Plant Out” · Early August – late August
Start Harvesting
Pick when the lanterns turn papery and golden; the berries keep for weeks in their husks.
- 60–90 days after “Start Harvesting” · Early October – early November
Finish and Clear
Pick all remaining lanterns before the first frost.
