Plant Care Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry

About Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry is a popular houseplant 🌿 that needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Cape Gooseberry likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

⚠️ Cape Gooseberry is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Physalis peruviana
Physalis
Solanaceae
Solanales

Also known as

Goldenberry, Physalis and Poha Berry Goldenberry

How to care for Cape Gooseberry

💦 Water

How often to water your Cape Gooseberry

Water needs for Cape Gooseberry
0.5 cups
every 9

Cape Gooseberry needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Cape Gooseberry

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Cape Gooseberry in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Cape Gooseberry: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Cape Gooseberry love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Cape Gooseberry does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Cape Gooseberry in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Cape Gooseberry

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Cape Gooseberry: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Cape Gooseberry after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #CapeGooseberry
💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Cape Gooseberry prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Cape Gooseberry Water Frequency →

Cape Gooseberry Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Cape Gooseberry requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Cape Gooseberry Light Requirements →

Cape Gooseberry Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Cape Gooseberry is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Cape Gooseberry is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Cape Gooseberry Edible? →

Cape Gooseberry Toxicity to Cats →

Cape Gooseberry Toxicity to Dogs →

Cape Gooseberry Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Cape Gooseberry does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

When and How to Successfully Repot Cape Gooseberry →

What Are Healthy Cape Gooseberry Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Cape Gooseberry should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Cape Gooseberry can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Cape Gooseberry Temperature Tolerance →

Cape Gooseberry Hardiness Zones →

Is Cape Gooseberry a Weed? →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Cape Gooseberry, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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