Plant encyclopedia›Cape gooseberry

Cape gooseberry

Also known as: gooseberry tomato; Peruvian Cape gooseberry; Poha; purple ground cherry; ground cherry; strawberry tomato

A lax, branching, herbaceous perennial with soft, hairy leaves and small, yellow flowers with chocolate-brown centres in mid- to late summer. These are followed by edible, orange berries. each enclosed in a papery, lantern-shaped husk

Scientific classification

Species: Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)
Genus: Physalis
Family: Solanaceae

Only the berries are edible, other plant parts can cause mild stomach upset if eaten. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling]
Toxicity: Herbaceous Perennial · Conservatory Greenhouse · Fruit Edible
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Cape gooseberry pictures

Distribution of Cape gooseberry

Distribution map

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Only the berries are edible, other plant parts can cause mild stomach upset if eaten. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling]

Quick identification of Cape gooseberry

Information to be completed

Cape gooseberry care guide

Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings

Fertilizing

Tomato or pepper feed every one to two weeks in fruiting season

Pruning

Cut down to ground level after harvesting the fruit

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division in spring

Growing

Sow seed indoors in early spring. Grow on in a cool greenhouse, or outdoors in milder areas once all risk of frost has passed. Needs well-drained soil in a sunny position and support for the lax branches

More growing and care information →