Experiences with Cape Gooseberry: Physalis

A little while ago, a gardener posted this photo on our community garden WhatsApp group and asked if anyone knew what it was.

Several gardeners replied and shared their experiences of growing these prettiest of fruits. It is Physalis peruviana, the Cape Gooseberry. Other varieties of physalis include Physalis alkekengi, the Chinese Lantern, which is dried and used in floral decorations, and Physalis ixocarpa, the tomatillo.

One gardener has grown cape gooseberries successfully both outdoors and indoors in pots. Another grew them in her plot in 2022 but they did not ripen, maybe they were planted out too late. Someone else has grown them in a greenhouse but discontinued because they self-seed readily and can pop up anywhere fruit may have dropped. The seedlings are easy to identify and remove though and can be potted on to give away or can be transplanted elsewhere.

Seeds can be picked out from the fruit and dried. After sowing, the seed germinates in about two weeks. The plants are extremely productive, bearing many fruits in summer and, according to Jane Grigson’s Fruit Book, if protected from frosts, will continue to fruit through autumn and winter too. If plants cannot be protected, the fruit may be picked once the calyxes are perfectly dry and stored in a cool place for up to four months.

Super-rich in Vitamin C, cape gooseberries may be enjoyed just as they are, or dipped in chocolate or made into jam.

As 2022 come to a close and we look forward to 2023, may your veggies grow vigorously, may your harvests be bountiful, may you enjoy the camaraderie of fellow gardeners and may you savour the ambience of our community garden space.