Chinese Lantern
Profile
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Habit
- annual
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Growth
- medium
- Lifespan
- 10 years
- First yield
- after 1 year
- Hardiness
- zone 6–9
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam
- Soil moisture
- semi-dry – moist
- pH
- 5.3 – 8.6
Growing
The Chinese Lantern prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. It grows best in slightly acidic to alkaline soils. The plant spreads through shallow rhizomes and should therefore be grown in pots or with root barriers to control its spread. Regular watering during the growing season promotes good development. Propagation is done by division in spring or sowing under glass in early spring.
⚠️ Hazards
Toxicity: toxic
Frequently asked questions
Chinese Lantern: how big does it get?
Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 0.3 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.6 m. Growth is medium.
Chinese Lantern: what site does it need?
Chinese Lantern tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.3 and 8.6.
Chinese Lantern: is it hardy?
Chinese Lantern is listed as hardy in zone 6–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Chinese Lantern: is it poisonous?
Chinese Lantern is classified as toxic. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.
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