
Cape gooseberry
Physalis peruviana
- Layer 3 · Shrubs
- Edible companion
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Native to the South American Andes, the physalis is a short-lived shrubby plant that produces orange berries enclosed in a papery calyx. It is highly valued in the food forest for the exotic flavour of its fruit and prolonged production.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the cape gooseberry grows well with
We have no trees recorded with this species yet. Start from the tree on your land.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Medium
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Herbaceous perennial up to 1.2 m
- Mature diameter: 1 m
- Soils: Loam, Sandy
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Hot, dry Mediterranean
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Planting
- April — Planting
- May — Planting
- June
- July — Harvest
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest
- October — Harvest
- November — Harvest
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: Its sweet and tangy fruits are eaten fresh or in desserts, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Where to buy
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the cape gooseberry grows well with
We have no trees recorded with this species yet. Start from the tree on your land.
No account needed.
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