How to Grow and Care for Chinese Lantern

Chinese lantern is a hardy perennial that provides colorful fall interest and can be grown in the ground or containers. Itsappeal lies in the signature lanterns, which are seed pods that mature to a bright pumpkin-orange at the end of the growing season in early fall. Chinese lantern is easy to grow as long as it has enough light and well-draining soil. The fruits, both the berries and the seed pods, as well as the leaves, are highly toxic to both humans and animals.

Chinese Lantern Care

These are the most essential requirements when caring for Chinese lanterns.

• Provide well-draining, evenly moist soil.
• Make sure it receives six to eight hours of sun each day.
• Keep the growth of the plant in check, as it will spread aggressively.
• Be proactive when managing pests and diseases.
• Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
• Fertilize sparingly and only if the plant is failing to thrive.
  

Warning

Before planting Chinese lantern in a garden bed, be keenly aware that it can grow aggressively and spread quickly via underground rhizomesand by reseeding. Be careful where you plant it because it can overrun your garden beds and even sprout into turfgrass. Chinese lantern grows best in containers to keep it from spreading to other areas of your property. Eradicating Chinese lantern is not an easy task once it become invasive.

Light

Chinese lantern plants grow best in full sun but tolerate part sun conditions. In warm climates, the plant is best grown in part shade. Full sun would require six to eight hours per day.

Soil

Chinese lanterns prefer average, consistently moist and well-draining soil of neutral pH between 6.6 and 7.3. Rich soils may cause the plant to spread faster than you want, so there are some advantages to growing it in more meager soil.

Water

When young, Chinese lanterns require regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once mature, they are somewhat tolerant of drought, though flower and pod production is better with a consistent level of soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant can tolerate cooler temperatures, but any frost will cause it to die back for the winter. It doesn't have any humidity requirements. The seeds will germinate when temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F.

Fertilizer

Feed in the spring after new growth appears with a light application of balanced fertilizer, but only if the plant needs it. If it's growing aggressively, you can withhold any feeding. If using granular fertilizer, make sure to keep it away from the plant's crown and foliage. Too much fertilizer can stimulate fast growth rates, which may encourage root rot as well as uncontrolled spreading.

Chinese Lantern vs. Tomatillo

There are no cultivars of P. alkekengi; only the species plant is commonly grown in gardens. However, another closely related member of the Physalis genus grown ornamentally or as a perennial edible vegetable is the tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa), also called Mexican husk tomato.

This plant has a similar growth habit and cultural needs to the Chinese lantern, but inside the papery husks, the plant produces a tomato-like fruit that is edible and commonly used in salsas. As the yellow to purple fruits ripen, they split open the husks to reveal themselves. The fruits can be quite attractive in the landscape, even if you do not harvest them for eating. The husks of the tomatillo do not turn bright orange like the Chinese lantern, which helps you harvest the non-toxic edible tomatillo for consumption.

Pruning

Chinese lantern plant pods with their pumpkin-like color are often used in Halloween crafts, harvest-themed decorations,and dried flower arrangementsfor fall.

When the pods have matured to their orange to reddish-orange color, it's time to prune them off. First, cut off a stem with pods at ground level. Strip off the leaves, and then suspend the whole stem upside down in a dark, cool place with good ventilation (for example, a garage) to dry the pods. Drying should be complete in a few weeks.

Propagating Chinese Lantern

Because Chinese lantern is such a vigorous grower, gardeners are usually more concerned about preventing the plant from spreading uncontrollably instead of propagating it. Chinese lantern spreads by rhizomes or volunteer seedlings that sprout up when it self-seeds. If you still want to propagate it, here's how it's done:

1. In the spring, lift the entire plant out of the ground with a shovel.
2. Divide it into smaller sections with pruners.
3. Plant the sections in a new location. Keep them well-watered until you see new growth.

It is also relatively easy to collect the dried seeds from the plants in the fall and store them for planting in the spring.

How to Grow Chinese Lantern From Seed

You can sow your seeds outdoors in the late spring. Or, for faster results, you can start the seeds indoors in seedling trays six to eight weeks before the last projected frost date.

When sowing outside, poor soils can first be improved by working organic material into the top 6 inches of soil. Sow the seeds across the soil, barely covering them with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist; seedlings will emerge in 14 to 21 days.

When starting indoors, similarly sow the seeds in a seed-starting mix, then set the tray in a warm, sunny location and keep the seeds moist until they sprout. Seedlings will need to be hardened off before transplanting them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Starting Chinese lantern plants from seeds is a good way to grow them as annuals each year, especially in containers. You can simply remove and dispose of the container plant at the end of the growing season and start with fresh seeds the following year. This way, you don't have to worry about the plant aggressively spreading in your garden.

Potting and Repotting Chinese Lantern

Chinese lantern does well when grown in containers, and this may be a good option if you don't have the space for aggressive growth. Plant in a well-draining container that is 2 feet or larger. Fill with potting soil or your average garden soil and add compost. Either plant seeds or add transplants to the container, and then thin to the strongest one or two plants as they grow.

This plant will die back in the containers for winter and then regrow each spring; therefore, it may not be necessary to repot if you've started with a large enough container. If the plant does outgrow the pot, you can move to a larger one and freshen the soil.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Chinese lantern plants are prone to several insect pests, including false potato beetles, cucumber beetles, and flea beetles. If insects have infested your plants, the pods can become riddled with holes made by hungry insects.Neem oil and/or insecticidal soap sprays should be effective against most of the offending pests.

Various bacterial and fungal diseases can attack the plants, and overcrowding can promote the spread of these diseases. Space the plants at least 2 feet apart for good air circulation. You might notice leaf discoloration or a plant that is wilting and failing to thrive. Cut back any diseased foliage to prevent the spread of the disease.

How to Get Chinese Lantern to Bloom

Bloom Months

This fast-growing plant will reach maturity and bloom in its first season. Typically planted in spring, blooms will begin to appear in the summer months of June, July, or August.

What Does Chinese Lantern's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Chinese lantern buds give way to small, white bell-shaped flowers nestled among the 3-inch-long, medium green leaves. The 2-inch-wide papery pod, called a calyx, serves as a protective cover over the flower and fruit. The husk will change over to red and orange as fall comes.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To promote plentiful blooms, check the soil's moisture level and ensure it's just right. If the plant is too dry, it may not flower at all.

Caring for Chinese Lantern After it Blooms

Once the plant is finished blooming, you can cut it back significantly, especially if it's become leggy through the growing season. If lanterns are still to be harvested, you can trim them first and preserve them. The plant will die back into its skeletal form for winter.

Deadheading Chinese Lantern Flowers

The flowers of the Chinese lantern plant are transitional and less significant than the boldly colored lanterns that follow. Therefore, deadheading the blooms before they've reached this phase is not necessary.

Common Problems With Chinese Lantern

Although fairly low maintenance, you may encounter a problem with your Chinese lantern plant from time to time.

Leaves Turning Yellow

If your Chinese lantern's leaves are yellowing, note how much water it receives daily. If the leaves are also dry to the touch, this typically indicates the plant needs more water. If growing in a container, check that the plant is not too large for its vessel. If it becomes rootbound, it will be unable to soak up the water you're giving it. In this case, transplant it into a large container. If the leaves are yellow but the plant does not appear to be thirsty, it may be receiving too much water and showing early symptoms of root rot. Hold off on watering and allow the soil to drain. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Holes in Leaves

You may notice holes or tears in your Chinese plant's foliage. This is a sure sign of pests. Check for beetles, specifically flea, false potato, or cucumber beetles. They may be eating your plant. Once you've discovered the cause, rub all parts of the plant down with neem oil to prevent them from returning.

Leaves Turning White or Gray

A white film or dust-like coating on the leaves of your Chinese lantern could indicate powdery mildew, a fungal disease that is caused by several types of fungi. These fungi suck essential nutrients away before you know they're there and weaken the entire plant. To rid the plant of the disease as quickly as possible, you can use a formula of 1 tablespoon each of baking soda, vegetable oil, and liquid soap combined with 1 gallon of water. Spray on all areas of the plant.

From: thespruce