Golden berries also known as Cape gooseberries or Physalis peruviana are a delicious and unique fruit that grow in many parts of the world. Understanding where these tasty berries originate and thrive can help guide gardeners interested in cultivating their own crops.
Overview of Golden Berries
Golden berries belong to the nightshade family and are closely related to tomatillos and ground cherries. The plants produce small, orange berries around 1-2 cm wide that are encased in a husk similar to a Chinese lantern. When ripe the berries have a sweet yet tart tropical flavor often described as a cross between a gooseberry and mango.
Native to South America, golden berries have been cultivated since Incan times. Today, they grow across diverse climates from subtropical to temperate regions. The berries are grown commercially in many countries and also make a novelty fruit for home gardeners.
Native Habitat
Golden berries originated in the Andean mountain regions of Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. This is considered the center of genetic diversity for the species. The plants thrive at elevations between 1,600 – 9,800 feet in their native range.
In South America, golden berries grow wild in mountain forests, forest edges, and along rivers and streams. The countries of Peru and Colombia remain leading commercial producers of the fruit. However, golden berries are also widely cultivated across Central and North America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia today.
Climate Conditions
Golden berries require mild temperatures and sufficient moisture to produce a good harvest. They perform best with an annual average temperature between 55-64 °F. Plants can withstand short bursts of heat up to 86 °F, but extreme summer heat will stunt growth and reduce yields.
In tropical locations, golden berry plants live year-round as short perennial shrubs. In cooler climates, they are grown as annuals. Either way, golden berries need 500-800 mm of precipitation spread over the growing season. With good drainage and irrigation, they can thrive even in low rainfall areas.
These plants can handle light frosts but are damaged by hard freezes below 28°F. They are hardy only to USDA Zone 8 and will die back in colder winters. Golden berries also prefer relatively high humidity around 60-70%.
Where Commercial Varieties Grow
Thanks to generations of selective breeding, commercial golden berry cultivars are available that thrive across diverse climates. Here are some of the main regions producing these berries on a large scale:
- North America – Mexico, United States (California, Florida, Pacific Northwest)
- Central America – Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador
- South America – Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia
- Europe – Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium
- Africa – South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya
- Asia – India, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Philippines
- Australia & New Zealand
The largest exporters are Colombia, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa. However, golden berries are grown on every continent except Antarctica.
Ideal Growing Regions
For home gardeners interested in cultivating golden berries, certain regions provide ideal conditions. Some of the best places to grow golden berries include:
- Mediterranean Climates – California, Mediterranean Basin, Chile, South Africa, Australia
- Humid Subtropical Climates – Southeastern U.S., Eastern Australia, Southeastern South America
- Highland Tropics – Central America, Andes, East Africa, Southeast Asia
In these regions, temperatures stay relatively mild year-round with moderate rainfall. Winters are frost-free or only experience occasional light freezes. Summers are warm but rarely excessively hot, with average highs around 75-85°F.
If you live in one of these climates, you can likely have success growing golden berries, especially if you select an appropriate cultivar.
Growing Golden Berries Indoors
Gardeners in colder climates can also grow golden berries indoors or in greenhouses. The plants thrive in containers and produce heavily when kept under optimal conditions. Keep them in a bright, sunny window or under grow lights. Average room temperatures around 65-75°F are ideal.
With the right cultivar and care, home growers across most temperate regions can enjoy fresh golden berries even if they can’t be grown outdoors year-round.
Best Cultivars by Region
Hundreds of golden berry cultivars exist, ranging from wild types to selectively bred hybrids developed for certain climates. Here are some recommended varieties to look for based on your region:
Cool Summer Climates
- Aunt Molly’s (New Zealand)
- Alpine (Europe, New Zealand)
- Elena (Poland)
Hot Summer Climates
- Jelly Bean (Australia)
- Jingold (Zimbabwe)
- Jiwangua (China)
Cool Winter Climates
- Inca Gold (New Zealand)
- Jasper (South Africa)
- Mashenge (Tanzania)
Tropical Climates
- Brazilian Yellow (Brazil)
- Jumbo (Zimbabwe)
- Jiwangwa (China)
Coastal Climates
- Goldie (United States)
- Pichuberry (United States)
- Golden Sweet (United States)
With over 2,000 named varieties, there are golden berries adapted to just about every climate if you do some research.
FRUIT OF MANY NAMES
Native to Peru, golden berries are called Inca berries in their native land. They have been cultivated for hundreds of years in South America and originally were only grown for Inca royalty, partly because they were considered a potent super food. They have been grown in England since the 18th century and later in South Africa, where they are called cape gooseberries, after the Cape of Good Hope. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the fruit of many names was cultivated around the world in tropical and temperate zones.
While they are technically a fruit, they are not a true berry or a cherry! Farmers I know call them a variety of things including Peruvian ground cherries, husk cherries and gooseberries. In Hawaii they are called poha berry, and on fancy dessert menus you may see them called Physalis, its scientific name. My favorite name was given by the French—amour en cage or love in a cage—referring to their pretty calyx over what resembles a tomato, sometimes known as a love apple.
There are two types of golden berries, Physalis peruviana and Physalis pruinosa. Once harvested, it might be hard to tell the difference, however they are different. At Serendipity Farms, we grow the peruviana variety because I was gifted seeds from a farmer friend who brought them back from South America to share. I like this variety because it grows upright and you don’t have to pick the fruit off the ground like the pruinosa variety. The leaves are fuzzy in comparison and the fruit is larger. The drawback to this variety is that it takes much longer to ripen, but since we farm our row crops on the coast, it works well—we don’t receive frosts that would kill them and we can have some interesting fruit on our tables in winter when there isn’t much to offer. They can even be a perennial crop if grown in a hoop house or outdoors where winter temperatures stay above 45 degrees.
Spade & Plow Organics grows the heirloom cultivar goldie, which is a pruinosa variety. This variety is native to Northern Mexico. Farmer Sam Thorp learned about what he calls ground cherries when he was working at a culinary garden for a fine dining restaurant. He says people now know more about them and they are the “specialty of specialty crops.”
Sam, his dad and brother farm in Morgan Hill and Gilroy where it is warmer than on the coast and golden berries are quicker to harvest. Beginning in August, the fruit starts to fall on the ground.
Thorp appreciates how the fruit falls, indicating they are ready to be harvested, because that way they are sure the fruit is at its peak of flavor.
At Spade & Plow, only one long bed of golden berries is grown annually, which is plenty for their farmers markets and wholesale accounts because they are so prolific.
“I like to eat them fresh and keep it simple,” says Thorp. “I don’t like to alter the flavor too much. I sometimes cook them into a compote and add them to ice cream. When customers ask what husk cherries taste like, I tell them the flavor is like nothing else; they have a flavor all their own.”
#HowTo Get Hundreds of #Physalis Berries Every Year Without Replanting [Golden Berries Perennials]
FAQ
Can you grow golden berries in the US?
Yes, golden berries, also known as cape gooseberries or Inca berries, can be grown in the US. They are relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown as annuals or perennials depending on the climate and growing practices.
Where are golden berries native to?
Golden berries are native to the Andean Mountains in South America, and especially in the Peruvian and Chilean highlands. The fruit was cultivated by the region’s native Incans as early as 4,000 years ago.
Are golden berries invasive?
… thrive in forests, highlands, and low-elevation locations, and in some regions, the species can become so aggressive that it is labeled an invasive species
Are golden berries safe to eat raw?
Fully ripe goldenberries are safe to eat, while unripe ones contain toxic solanine. Harvest goldenberries from late summer to early fall for optimal ripeness and flavor. Enjoy goldenberries raw or in dishes; they’re nutritious and versatile!