Cape Gooseberry

How to sow cape gooseberry: Direct seed indoors, transplant seedlings outside after hardening off.

Sun requirement for cape gooseberry: Plant in Full Sun

Cape Gooseberries, or Physalis, are a plant species in the genus Physalis and family Solanaceae. They have slightly velvety heart-shaped leaves and produce smooth bright yellow or orange berries wrapped in a papery husk or calyx. They are originally from Peru and are related to tomatillos and husk/ground cherries. Cape Gooseberries grow well without fertilizer and in sandy to poor soils, but they need to be protected from wind. The fruit is sweet with a mildly tart flavor, tastes a bit like pineapple, and can be eaten raw, made into jams, or baked into pies. Unripe fruits are poisonous, harvest when the husk has lost color and dried out.