Chinese Lantern Plant

The Chinese Lantern Plant is a striking perennial plant renowned for its vibrant, lantern-like orange husks that encase small, edible fruits. Growing up to 2 feet tall, this hardy plant features bright green, ovate leaves and delicate white flowers that give way to red-orange lanterns in late summer, before fading into lacy white paper lanterns with glowing red centers in fall. Ideal for adding a splash of color to gardens and floral arrangements, Chinese Lanterns thrive in well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight. Beyond their ornamental appeal, Chinese Lantern fruits are edible when fully ripe and are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Enhance your garden with the distinctive beauty and versatility of Chinese Lanterns.

Also Known As: Chinese Lantern Plant, Japanese Lantern Plant, Winter Cherry, Capee Berry, Cape Gooseberry, Bladder Cherry, Ornamental Groundcherry, Ghost Husk Groundcherry, Skeleton Husk Groundcherry, Life Within Death Lantern.

Plant Name:	Ground Cherry, Chinese Lantern
Latin Name:	Physalis alkekengi
Days to Germinate:	7-21
Days to Bloom:	60-90
Plant Height:	2 - 3 Feet
Spread:	2 - 3 Feet
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant after all danger of frost has passed in spring and soil temperatures reach at least 65F. If fall planting in cold climates, sow in containers at least 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost, but bring indoors before the first frost and keep in a bright location.

To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 18-24 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 5 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 18-24 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	18 - 24 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Chinese Lantern Plants can be maintained by pruning and water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist. As they grow through summer, support may be needed to keep the tall stems upright. Remove weeds to reduce competition and apply a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture. In late summer or early fall, the plant produces its iconic orange lantern-shaped husks. Cut back the stems in late fall after the foliage dies back, leaving a few inches above ground to prepare for winter. These hardy perennials tolerate USDA zones 3 to 9 and can handle cold winters, though adding a layer of mulch in colder regions provides extra root protection. Plants are not edible.