Chinese lantern Physalis alkekengi

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant in question is commonly known as the Chinese lantern due to its distinctive, bright orange to red papery husk, which resembles a lantern. These husks are inflated and encase the fruit of the plant, providing it with a unique and decorative appearance, particularly notable during the fall. The foliage of the plant is made up of green leaves that are heart-shaped with a slightly toothed edge giving it a soft yet defined texture. The flowers of this plant are small and inconspicuous, appearing in hues such as white or a light cream color, and they are bell-shaped. These flowers give way to the more prominent lantern-like husks that eventually develop into their full brilliant coloration, catching the eye and providing ornamental value. The fleshy fruit inside the husks is small and spherical, similar in appearance to a small berry. Overall, the Chinese lantern plant has a bushy appearance, spreading out with its stems and creating a rounded shape that is both lush and nuanced, with its appealing lanterns dangling delicately from the branches, providing a striking visual interest in gardens and arrangements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae.
- Synonyms
  Chinese Lantern, Japanese Lantern, Winter Cherry, Bladder Cherry, Strawberry Groundcherry, Strawberry Tomato, Hozuki.
- Common names
  Alkekengi officinarum Moench, Boberella alkekengi (L.) E.H.L.Krause, Halicacabum alkekengi (L.) Medicus, Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino, Physalis franchetii Mast., Physalis hemsleyi Mast., Physalis dasysepala Ledeb., Physalis vespertilio Makino.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Physalis alkekengi is Chinese lantern. Chinese lantern plants are considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. While the ripe fruit can be edible when properly prepared, other parts of the plant, particularly the unripe fruit, leaves, and stem, contain solanine, which is a toxic alkaloid. Symptoms of solanine poisoning can include gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and changes in heart rate and respiration. It is important for individuals to be cautious and not consume any part of the Chinese lantern plant unless they are sure of its edibility and preparation.
- To pets
  Chinese lantern is the most common name for Physalis alkekengi. This plant is toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. The solanine found in the unripe fruit, leaves, and stem can lead to solanine poisoning in animals if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and lethargy. More serious cases of poisoning might show additional signs like seizures, difficulty breathing, or changes in heart rate. Consuming parts of the Chinese lantern plant can be harmful to pets and should be avoided to prevent potential health issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Eurasia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Chinese lanterns have distinctive, bright orange to red papery husks that look striking in gardens and as cut flowers in arrangements.
- Edible Fruit: The berry inside the husk is edible when ripe, offering a sweet-tart flavor that is used in jams, jellies, and desserts.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Chinese lantern plants are relatively drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering.
- Cultural Significance: In some cultures, Chinese lanterns are used in festivals and traditional decorations, symbolizing protection and good fortune.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers can attract pollinators like bees to the garden, while birds may feed on the berries.
Medical Properties
- Anti-inflammatory: Physalis alkekengi has compounds that may help reduce inflammation.
- Diuretic: The plant is traditionally used to increase urine production.
- Expectorant: It may help in relieving coughs and expelling phlegm from the respiratory tract.
- Hepatoprotective: There is evidence to suggest it has properties that could protect the liver.
- Antibacterial: Certain extracts of the plant have shown antibacterial activity in studies.
- Antioxidant: It contains antioxidants which help in preventing oxidative stress.
- Immune system booster: Some components may help in boosting the immune system.
- Fever reducer: Historically, it has been used to help reduce fever.
- Sedative: It may possess mild sedative properties to help with sleep and relaxation.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Physalis alkekengi, commonly known as Chinese lantern, can be used in dried floral arrangements due to its distinctive bright orange to red papery husk that remains attractive for a long time.
- The plant can be incorporated into garden design for its ornamental value, especially during autumn when the lanterns stand out against the changing foliage.
- The Chinese lantern's hollowed husks can be used in crafts, such as making tiny "lantern" garlands for decoration during festive occasions.
- The ground cherry, another name for the fruit, can be utilized in making jams, jellies, and desserts because of its unique, sweet-tart taste.
- Its vibrant lanterns make for an unusual and eye-catching addition to handcrafted jewelry, such as earrings or pendants, when preserved in resin.
- Chinese lantern plants can serve as a natural dye source, providing shades of yellow, orange, and green depending on the mordant used.
- It can be used in educational settings to teach plant life cycles and seed dispersal due to its easily observable growth stages and seed-containing lanterns.
- Photographers often use Chinese lantern plants as a subject for macro photography, capturing the intricate details of the husks and flowers.
- The husks can be incorporated into handmade paper, creating a unique texture and visual interest with the embedded pieces of the plant.
- During Halloween, Chinese lantern plants are popular for crafting miniature "pumpkins" for decoration due to their pumpkin-like appearance when the husks are intact.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Chinese lantern is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Chinese lantern is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: The Chinese lantern plant, with its characteristic bright orange to red husk, symbolizes protection. The husk acts as a natural shield for the berry inside, much like a lantern surrounds a flame, thus it represents safeguarding what is valuable.
- Abundance: The papery husk can also resemble coins in some cultures, making it associated with wealth, abundance, and prosperity.
- Longevity: As a perennial plant that can return year after year, the Chinese lantern is often seen as a symbol of long life and immortality.
- Life's Cycles: The plant undergoes a transformation from a green lantern to a vibrant orange one, and then it fades and becomes skeletal, symbolizing the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Chinese Lantern plant prefers consistent moisture, so water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once every week or two. During the growing season, water with approximately 1 gallon per plant to ensure the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. In winter, reduce watering as the plant's growth slows down, and the need for water decreases. Always check the soil moisture before watering to prevent overwatering, which can cause root rot.
Light
Chinese Lanterns thrive best in full sunlight to partial shade. To encourage healthy growth and flowering, place the plant in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. If grown indoors, a spot near a south-facing window would be ideal to provide enough light.
Temperature
Chinese Lantern plants prefer temperate climates and do well in temperatures between 60°F to 70°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to around 40°F but should be protected from frost. The ideal temperature range for vigorous growth is between 60°F to 75°F.
Pruning
Prune your Chinese Lantern plants in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged stems and to promote bushier growth. Pruning is also necessary to control the plant's spread, as it can be invasive. Cut back the stems to about 6 inches above the ground every year or every other year, depending on the plant's vigor and spread.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) thrives in well-drained soil with a mix of loam, sand, and some organic matter. A pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal for this plant. Amend garden soil with compost or aged manure to enrich it and facilitate good root growth. A recipe for the best soil mix would include two parts loam, one part coarse sand, and one part compost.
Repotting
Chinese lanterns, generally do not need to be repotted often as they can spread and become invasive if not managed. They can be divided every couple of years if they overwhelm the space they are in or if you wish to propagate new plants.
Humidity & Misting
Chinese lanterns are not particularly fussy about humidity and can tolerate a range of conditions. They do well in average room humidity but will appreciate a bit more moisture when grown in very dry environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Chinese lantern in bright, indirect light; keep soil evenly moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun or partial shade; water when topsoil feels dry.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Physalis alkekengi, commonly known as Chinese lantern, begins with seed germination, which occurs in spring when soil temperatures warm sufficiently. The seed develops into a seedling, which then grows into a mature plant characterized by its distinctly veined leaves and white, inconspicuous flowers that typically bloom in summer. Following pollination, these flowers give way to the plant's most notable feature, the lantern-like husk containing the fruit, which starts out green and matures to a bright orange or red in late summer to autumn. The enclosed berry ripens within the husk and contains seeds for the next generation. During winter, the plant dies back to the ground, with the roots remaining dormant until the next growing season. The cycle continues as these perennial roots sprout new shoots when favorable conditions return in spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The Chinese lantern plant, or Physalis alkekengi, is typically propagated by seed. Sow seeds in early spring, thinly in containers or flats filled with a well-drained seed starting mix. Once they are moistened, the seeds require stratification, which is achieved by placing them in a plastic bag and refrigerating them for about two weeks at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) to simulate winter conditions. After stratification, the seeds should be kept at a temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6-21.1 degrees Celsius) under grow lights or in a bright location, but not in direct sunlight. Germination can take one to six weeks, and once seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves, they can be transferred to individual pots and eventually moved outside once the threat of frost has passed.