Formosan lantern plants ( Physalis alkekengi ) make for an unbelievably singular and visually striking addition to any outdoor place . Their colorful papery husks enclosing the vibrant orange - reddish berries make an optic - catching showing . This nerveless - weather plant is also sometimes called wintertime cherry strawberry mark ground cherry tree or vesica cherry .
In this complete guide to Formosan lantern plants we ’ll cut through everything you need to know about growing these strange beauties yourself including
An Overview of Chinese Lantern Plants
Taiwanese lantern plant are repeated members of the nightshade family They are related to tomatoes , black pepper , and eggplants
The plant life grows 2 - 3 feet tall on upright , branch stems . The oval , charge leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the fore . From summer through fall , Formosan lantern plants produce small wan yellow blossom . Once pollinated , the flowers develop into the signature Formosan lanterns .
These intricate , papery ejaculate fuel pod start out green , then turn orange - red as they mature . Eventually they become a dry out , beige color while still introduce the red - Orange River berry . The fledged lantern valuate 1 - 2 inches wide of the mark .
Both the youthful berry and leaf are poisonous to humans when assimilate . However , songbirds have it off the good yield inside the husks . The cosmetic dried lantern persist through winter , making this plant ’s appeal last all season .
Growing Conditions
Chinese lantern plant thrive in the following status :
Chinese lantern plants grow best in consistently coolheaded temperature between 60 - 75 ° farad . They can tolerate some heat but may become dormant in very hot summertime . Plants go inactive in wintertime in zone 3 - 6 .
This plant does involve well drainage . Amend clay soils with compost to prevent them from staying overly wet . distance plants 18 - 24 inch asunder .
How to Plant Chinese Lantern
you may start Formosan lantern plant life from seed either indoors or directly outside :
Indoors : begin seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before your last intermediate freeze day of the month . engraft them 1⁄4 column inch deeply in semen starting mix . sprouting have 10 - 15 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at 65 - 70 ° F .
outside : Direct sow seeds outdoors in late spring once the soil is ardent . engraft them 1⁄4 column inch deep and 18 - 24 inches apart where they will grow .
Transplanting : Harden off seedling for 7 - 10 days before transplanting them outside after all danger of hoar has exit .
Care and Growing Tips
Here are some tips for make tutelage of Taiwanese lantern plants throughout the seasons :
Water institute on a regular basis , especially when fruit are forming . permit the soil to partially dry between lachrymation .
Apply a oecumenical intention fertiliser once a month during the grow time of year . Compost also provides nutrients .
Remove dead flowers to encourage more fruit production .
interest marvellous plants if needed to provide support .
Prune back to 12 inches after unfolding ends for winter .
Mulch works in stale areas to protect roots from wintertime damage .
dissever congested plants every 2 - 3 years in the spring to regenerate .
Harvesting and Using Chinese Lanterns
The ornamental lantern can be harvested once the papery husks turn orangish - loss . sentence it before the first frost so stalk do n’t shrivel .
To dry out them , string up bundles upside down in a ardent , dry spot out of unmediated sun . The husks will dry out out attractively over the next few weeks .
you could will fruit inside or shake them out through a scratch cut in the bottom once fully dried . come can be collected to implant next year .
The dry out lanterns keep their shape splendidly and make smashing additions to flower system and salmagundi . Get originative with these ideas :
Add pops of gloss to Thanksgiving or fall centerpieces
Embellish wreaths , garlands , and lurch
Craft center - catching votive candle holders
Spray key in coordinate colors for home decor
Embellish marriage bouquets and flowered arrangements
Where to Find Chinese Lantern Plants for Sale
you’re able to often find starter or seedlings of Chinese lantern plants for cut-rate sale topically at garden centers and nurseries , usable seasonally in the springtime . self-aggrandising box domicile melioration computer storage may also take them .
For the wide selection , stop on-line retailers . you’re able to shop Etsy and Amazon for Chinese lantern plants shipped right to your door . On Etsy , hunting for Peter Sellers offering lively plants or seeds . Amazon also stocks both live works and seeds .
Make trusted to snitch from Peter Sellers who have excellent ratings and review . Also appear for pick to filter your hunt by plant character , such as alive or seed .
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The Chinese Lantern Plant is a beautiful recurrent flora that is know for its bright orange husks that look like lanterns and hold low fruit that can be eaten . This unfearing plant can grow up to 2 metrical foot tall and has promising immature , ovate leaves and pretty white flush that grow into red - orange lanterns in late summer . In the fall , the flowers turn into lacy white paper lantern with glowing reddened heart . Formosan lanterns do best in well - debilitate soil and full to partial sun . They summate a splash of color to gardens and flower placement . Chinese Lantern fruit are pretty to look at , but they are also tasty when they are to the full ripe and full of healthy nutrient . Enhance your garden with the classifiable beauty and versatility of Chinese Lanterns .
This plant is also bang as the Winter Cherry , Capee Berry , Cape Gooseberry , Bladder Cherry , Ornamental Groundcherry , Ghost Husk Groundcherry , Skeleton Husk Groundcherry , Life Within Death Lantern , and Capee Berry . We transport in 1 business solar day . Shipped with USPS First Class Mail .
- antifungal - handle seed protect the seedling from diseases until they are up and growing . Do not eat treated seeds . * * Seeds are new packed for the growing time of year of the twelvemonth list . Seeds are still viable beyond gang date . Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or cellar to well preserve germination rates .
