The orange pods of Chinese lantern plants resemble small paper lanterns and are perfect for brightening up the yard.
Here’s what you gotta know to grow this plant in your garden.
Most parts of Chinese lantern plants are toxicto both pets and humans.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Don’t consume the unripe fruits, leaves, or any other parts of the plant.
Plant them in pots to contain their invasive tendencies.
They grow in USDA Zones 69.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
How and When to Plant Chinese Lanterns
Plant Chinese lantern seeds in the springafter the last frost.
Then, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing them on prepared soil.
Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch of soil and tamp down the surface.
The seeds germinate in two to three weeks in warm, moist soil.
After they germinate, thin the seedlings to 2 feet apart.
Keep them in a brightly lit room at 70F-75F.
After the weather warms, transplant the seedlings outside to a prepared bed or container.
These plants grow quickly and bloom the same year of planting.
Small white flowers appear in the summer before turning into decorative orange-to-reddish husks that resemble lanterns.
Light
Chinese lanterns thrive in full sun, so plant them in a south or west-facing area.
These plants can also grow inpartial afternoon shade, which is beneficial when the climate is hot.
Soil and Water
Chinese lanterns like well-draining soil with apH that ranges from 6.6 to 7.3.
Soil withlots of organic matterencourages the plant to thrivebut also spread.
One way to minimize spread is to plant in average soil that hasn’t been enriched.
This plant likes consistently moist, but never soggy, soil.
Overwatering can lead to root rot.
It has no humidity preference.
Fertilizer
Fertilize in the spring when you see new growth.
Applyslow-release, balanced fertilizer, following the product directions.
If the plant is growing fast and spreading, you may want to avoid using fertilizer.
Pruning
Pruning isn’t necessary, but pruning the smaller branches encourages more plant growth.
Avoid pruning Chinese lantern plants while they’re blooming.
Potting and Repotting Chinese Lantern
Chinese lantern is an excellent candidate for outdoor container growing.
The plant is a perennial that dies back for winter and regrows each spring.
There is no need to repot it with fresh soil each year.
Pests and Problems
Many pests can attack or create a home in a Chinese lantern plant.
One way to know you have a pest issue is to check for holes in the leaves.
If there’s an infestation, treat the entire plantleaves, husks, and stemwithneem oil.
Fungal diseases can also affect the plant.
Avoid overcrowding plants and ensure there is good air circulation to prevent diseases.
Divisions require taking the entire plant out of the ground.
Then, place the new sections where you want to grow them and keep the soil moist.
If you have only one or two plants in nursery containers, sink their pots into the garden soil.
If they have, dig them up.
