Physalis peruviana
Cape gooseberry
Common names: Physalis, Andean berry
Photo: Manojkumar Subramani · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Cape gooseberry bears bright yellow, sweet‑tart berries encased in a papery lantern‑shaped husk. Native to the highlands of South America, it grows into a spreading, semi‑shrubby bush and fruits from late summer until frost. The berries often ripen only after the husk has become parchment‑like, dried, and fallen to the ground.
Care instructions
Sow seeds from February to April indoors in a warm environment, then transplant after the last frost (mid‑May, week 20) to a sunny, wind‑protected spot with support. Water moderately and fertilize sparingly, excess nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of fruit. Harvest berries when the husk is dry and straw‑colored; fallen fruit will continue to ripen in a warm place.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, well-drained, loamy, sandy
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
asparagus family (Asparagaceae)
particularly well establishedAsparagus and tomato benefit from each other. The tomato keeps the asparagus beetle away, and the asparagus repels threadworms that harm the tomato.
For example AsparagusFunkieBluebellMuscariHyacinthAmerican Agave
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
mint family (Lamiaceae)
particularly well establishedYou will find that basil next to tomato and pepper improves taste and keeps whiteflies and aphids away.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
borage family (Boraginaceae)
Borage attracts pollinators and is supposed to keep tomato pests away from the nightshade family.
For example BoragoCommon comfreyPhaceliaForget-me-notNatternkopfSwamp Forget-Me-Not and one more species in the catalogue
Source: organic greenhouse companion planting practice
Rather not
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Onions slow down the growth of nightshade family plants next to potatoes and tomatoes; the classic crop-rotation rule also applies in the bed side by side.
For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example Tagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall AsterIceberg lettuce and 56 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
You should avoid planting potato and cucumber together because they share disease pathogens such as leaf and brown rot and stand in each other's way as strong feeders.
For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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From the magazine
Physalis and Cape Gooseberry: Growing and Overwintering
The golden cape gooseberry is a perennial that we usually grow as an annual. Here is how to sow it right, ripen the fruit, and overwinter the rootstock for an earlier harvest in the second year.
Tomatillo: growing, harvesting and turning it into salsa verde
The tomatillo is not the sweet physalis but a tart green vegetable made for salsa verde. Here is how to start it, why you need two plants, and when the husk is ripe.