Species Chinese lantern
lantern-shaped, bright-orange fruits, brown stem, and ovate, toothed, green, glossy leaves

Chinese lantern

Physalis alkekengi

Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi) is an easy to grow annual plant that produces vibrant, bright orange fruits, resembling small lanterns. During the summer, Chinese lantern produces star-shaped white flowers, surrounded by large leaves that form an attractive foliage. In the fall, these distinctive fruits, nestled in their papery husks, turn the orange color, making the plant an eye-catching addition to any garden. The bright, edible fruit can also be picked and used in salads or added as decorations. Chinese lantern is a great choice for adding beautiful foliage and ornamental fruits to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Tiny white flowers followed by orange-red calyx Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

yellow,orange Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese lantern plants prefer evenly moist soil, but do not like to be overwatered. Water every 5-7 days, making sure that the soil is damp to the touch, but not saturated. However, keep an eye out for signs of wilting, as this indicates that you are under-watering, and increase the watering frequency if this happens. During hot summer weather, you may need to water Chinese lantern plants more frequently. Make sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, as this can lead to fungus and other infections.

sunlight

Chinese lanterns prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade. They require 6 to 8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight a day. In general, they should receive the most sunlight in the morning, with partial shade in the afternoon, as intense afternoon sunlight can be damaging to the plant. In extremely hot climates, the plant should receive more shade during the day. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide good drainage.

pruning

Chinese lantern plants should be pruned annually, usually in late winter or early spring. To prune, use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut back the large stems above the soil, or the flowering stalks when the plant has finished blooming. This encourages new growth and can help keep the plant healthier. It is important not to cut back too much of the plant, as it can damage the rest of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Physalis alkekengi typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Physalis alkekengi typically begins in August and continues through October.

Starts Flowering

Physalis alkekengi typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Physalis alkekengi typically begins in August and continues through October.

Hardiness Map