Chinese lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi) make for an incredibly unique and visually striking addition to any outdoor space. Their colorful papery husks enclosing the vibrant orange-red berries create an eye-catching display. This cool-weather plant is also sometimes called winter cherry strawberry ground cherry or bladder cherry.
In this complete guide to Chinese lantern plants we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing these unusual beauties yourself including
- Chinese lantern plant description and characteristics
- Growing conditions and care
- How to start them from seed
- Where to find Chinese lantern plants for sale
- Creative ways to use the decorative dried seed pods
An Overview of Chinese Lantern Plants
Chinese lantern plants are perennial members of the nightshade family They are related to tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants
The plant grows 2-3 feet tall on upright, branching stems. The oval, pointed leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem. From summer through fall, Chinese lantern plants produce small pale yellow flowers. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into the signature Chinese lanterns.
These intricate, papery seed pods start out green, then turn orange-red as they mature. Eventually they become a dried, beige color while still enclosing the red-orange berry. The mature lanterns measure 1-2 inches wide.
Both the young berry and leaf are poisonous to humans when ingested. However, songbirds love the ripe fruit inside the husks. The decorative dried lanterns persist through winter, making this plant’s appeal last all season.
Growing Conditions
Chinese lantern plants thrive in the following conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining soil, average fertility
- pH: Neutral to acidic soil, between 6.0-7.0 pH
- Hardiness zone: Zones 3-10
- Climate: Cool climates
Chinese lantern plants grow best in consistently cool temperatures between 60-75°F. They can tolerate some heat but may become dormant in very hot summers. Plants go dormant in winter in zones 3-6.
This plant does require good drainage. Amend clay soils with compost to prevent them from staying overly wet. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.
How to Plant Chinese Lantern
You can start Chinese lantern plants from seed either indoors or directly outside:
Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last average frost date. Plant them 1⁄4 inch deep in seed starting mix. Germination takes 10-15 days at 65-70°F.
Outdoors: Direct sow seeds outdoors in late spring once the soil is warm. Plant them 1⁄4 inch deep and 18-24 inches apart where they will grow.
Transplanting: Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting them outside after all danger of frost has passed.
Care and Growing Tips
Here are some tips for taking care of Chinese lantern plants throughout the seasons:
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Water plants regularly, especially when fruits are forming. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Apply a general purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Compost also provides nutrients.
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Remove dead flowers to encourage more fruit production.
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Stake tall plants if needed to provide support.
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Prune back to 12 inches after flowering ends for winter.
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Mulch plants in cold areas to protect roots from winter damage.
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Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in the spring to rejuvenate.
Harvesting and Using Chinese Lanterns
The decorative lanterns can be harvested once the papery husks turn orange-red. Time it before the first frost so husks don’t shrivel.
To dry them, hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry spot out of direct sun. The husks will dry out beautifully over the next few weeks.
You can leave fruits inside or shake them out through a slit cut in the bottom once fully dried. Seeds can be collected to plant next year.
The dried lanterns keep their shape excellently and make great additions to flower arrangements and potpourri. Get creative with these ideas:
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Add pops of color to Thanksgiving or fall centerpieces
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Embellish wreaths, garlands, and swags
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Craft eye-catching votive candle holders
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Spray paint in coordinated colors for home decor
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Embellish wedding bouquets and floral arrangements
Where to Find Chinese Lantern Plants for Sale
You can often find starters or seedlings of Chinese lantern plants for sale locally at garden centers and nurseries, available seasonally in the spring. Big box home improvement stores may also carry them.
For the widest selection, check online retailers. You can shop Etsy and Amazon for Chinese lantern plants shipped right to your door. On Etsy, search for sellers offering live plants or seeds. Amazon also stocks both live plants and seeds.
Make sure to shop from sellers who have excellent ratings and reviews. Also look for options to filter your search by plant type, such as live or seeds.
Add Unique Beauty to Your Garden
With their showy papery seed pods, Chinese lantern plants bring one-of-a-kind beauty and visual interest to outdoor spaces and flower arrangements. Follow the growing tips above to successfully add these uncommon cooler-weather producers to your own garden. Then get creative drying and displaying the decorative lanterns.
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The Chinese Lantern Plant is a beautiful perennial plant that is known for its bright orange husks that look like lanterns and hold small fruits that can be eaten. This hardy plant can grow up to 2 feet tall and has bright green, ovate leaves and pretty white flowers that turn into red-orange lanterns in late summer. In the fall, the flowers turn into lacy white paper lanterns with glowing red centers. Chinese lanterns do best in well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight. They add a splash of color to gardens and flower arrangements. Chinese Lantern fruits are pretty to look at, but they are also tasty when they are fully ripe and full of healthy nutrients. Enhance your garden with the distinctive beauty and versatility of Chinese Lanterns.
This plant is also known 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 ship in 1 business day. Shipped with USPS First Class Mail.
| Plant Name: | Ground Cherry, Chinese Lantern |
| Latin Name: | Physalis alkekengi |
| Days to Germinate: | 14-21 |
| Days to Bloom: | 60 – 90 |
| Plant Height: | 2 – 3 Feet |
| Spread: | 2 – 3 Feet |
| Growth Habit: | Runner |
| USDA Zones: | 3-9 |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Brand: | TomorrowSeeds |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
| GMO: | No |
| Pollination: | Heirloom, Open-Pollinated |
| 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 Depth: | 1 inch |
| Spacing: | 18 inches, transplant. |