How to grow Cape Gooseberry in New Zealand
Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a sprawling, soft-wooded shrub with velvety leaves and sweet-tart golden berries wrapped in papery lanterns. It is a relative of the tomato and is grown much the same way, from seed in spring after the frosts. In frost-free northern gardens it lives for several years and self-seeds freely; in frosty areas it is grown as an annual.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Cape Gooseberry in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to December | |
| Auckland | September to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | September to December | |
| Central North Island | November and December | Frost tender. Plant out once the frosts finish. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to December | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to December | Plant out Oct to Dec once the frosts finish. |
| Canterbury | November and December | Frost tender. Plant out Nov to Dec once the frosts finish in mid October. |
| Otago & Southland | November and December | Frost tender. Plant out Nov to Dec in the warmest spot; autumn frost ends the crop. |
| Central Otago | December | Frost tender. Plant out in December once the frosts are over; a tunnel house gives a longer pick. |
Not to be confused with: Tomatillo, a larger, green, husk-wrapped relative used in Mexican cooking, and Gooseberry, an unrelated thorny berry bush.
Where to plant
Plant cape gooseberries in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. They grow in a range of soils, survive dry spells once established and need little or no fertiliser; rich soil gives lots of leaf at the expense of fruit. Soil that stays wet causes fungal problems.
Cape gooseberry self-seeds freely in mild, frost-free gardens. Pull out unwanted seedlings while they are small so it does not spread beyond where you want it.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and Wellington: plant out from September to December. In frost-free gardens plants live for several years.
- Nelson and Marlborough: plant out from October to December once the frosts finish.
- Central North Island and Canterbury: frost tender. Plant out in November or December once the frosts are over.
- Otago and Southland: plant out in November or December in the warmest spot; autumn frost ends the crop.
- Central Otago: plant out in December. A tunnel house gives a longer picking season.
How to plant
- Sow seed about 6 mm deep in trays of seed raising mix from August to October, in a warm spot or with bottom heat.
- Keep moist; seedlings appear in 7 to 14 days.
- Pot on, then plant out once frosts are over and the soil is warm, 45 to 60 cm apart.
- Give the plants a stake or frame, as they sprawl.
- Water in and mulch.
Watering and feeding
Water young plants regularly. Once established, cape gooseberries cope with dry spells, but steady watering while fruit is forming gives better berries. Avoid waterlogged soil.
They rarely need fertiliser. Too much nitrogen gives a mass of leaves and few fruit.
Pruning and care through the year
- Support the sprawling stems with stakes, a frame or a low fence.
- Pinch out growing tips on young plants to make them bushier.
- On plants that survive the winter, prune hard in spring once frosts are over to encourage fresh fruiting growth.
- Cover young plants with fine insect mesh where tomato-potato psyllid is a problem.
Harvesting
The fruit is ripe when the papery husk has dried and turned golden brown and the berry inside is golden. Ripe fruit often drops to the ground, so gather fallen lanterns as well as picking from the plant, over several weeks from late summer into autumn.
Left in their husks, berries keep for weeks at room temperature or about a month in the fridge.
Growing in pots
A cape gooseberry grows well in a pot at least 30 cm wide in a warm, sunny spot, with a stake for support. Keep the mix moist but not wet. In cool districts, a pot can be moved under cover in autumn to extend the season.
Using it
Eat cape gooseberries fresh, dip them in melted chocolate, add them to fruit salads and pavlova, or cook them into pies, jam, chutney and sauces. Eat only the ripe golden berries: unripe fruit, flowers, leaves and stems contain solanine and can cause poisoning.
Varieties
- Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)
Companion planting
Cape gooseberries are tomato relatives, so plant them with the same companions and rotate them the same way.
Good companions
- Tomato Likes the same warm, sunny conditions and support.
- Basil A warm-season herb that fills space around the plants.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to cape gooseberry.
Pests and diseases
Tomato-potato psyllid and whitefly are the main pests in New Zealand.
Pests to watch for
- Tomato potato psyllid Yellowing, purpling and cupped leaves, stunted plants and poor fruit set, with tiny jumping insects and white psyllid sugar on the leaves. Cover with fine mesh.
- Whitefly Clouds of tiny white insects that fly up when disturbed, with sticky leaves and sooty mould.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Wilting and yellowing in wet, poorly drained soil. Plant in free-draining ground.
Common questions
When do I plant cape gooseberries in New Zealand?
Sow seed indoors from August to October and plant out once frosts are over: from September in the warm north, and November or December in Canterbury, the central North Island and the south.
How do I know when cape gooseberries are ripe?
When the papery husk dries and turns golden brown and the berry inside is golden. Ripe fruit often falls, so pick up the fallen lanterns too.
Are cape gooseberries perennial?
Yes, in frost-free gardens they live for several years. In frosty areas they are grown as annuals, as frost ends the crop.
Do cape gooseberries need feeding?
Rarely. Rich soil or too much nitrogen gives lots of leaves and few berries.
Why are my cape gooseberry leaves yellow and curled?
Tomato-potato psyllid is a likely cause in New Zealand. Look for tiny jumping insects and white sugary deposits under the leaves, and cover plants with fine insect mesh.
Can I eat the husk or leaves?
No. Eat only the ripe golden berry. Unripe fruit, flowers, leaves and stems contain solanine and can cause poisoning.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds: Cape Gooseberry; Incredible Edibles (Tharfield Nursery): Cape gooseberry; Wikipedia: Physalis peruviana.