Color:

Chinese Lantern

Physalis alkekengi

Perennial

Papery orange husks resembling lanterns containing small fruits. Not flowers but decorative seed pods. Dries perfectly. Also called winter cherry. Popular for Halloween and fall decorations.

Bloom Season

Fall

Habitat

Temperate

Where to Buy

Find local florists carrying Chinese Lantern

Where are you located?

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Perfect For

Wedding

Care & Vase Life

Stays fresh for 14 to 60 days

when properly cared for

Best used dried - the papery lanterns last indefinitely

Cut when lanterns have turned orange but before they become papery

Hang upside down in a dark, dry area to preserve color

Can be used fresh but transitions to dried naturally

Dries naturally - can use fresh or dried

If fresh, lasts 7-10 days then air dries

Minimal water

Retains color for months dried

Fragrance Profile

No Scent

Chinese Lantern has no fragrance

Safety Information

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Humans

All parts except the ripe fruit are toxic - contain solanine compounds causing digestive upset

Fun Facts

The lanterns are actually inflated seed pods (calyxes) not flowers

Also known as Ground Cherry and Bladder Cherry

The berry inside is edible when fully ripe but unripe berries are toxic

A traditional symbol of good luck in Chinese and Japanese culture

Origin & History

Native to Southeastern Europe and Asia

Native to regions from southern Europe to Japan, Chinese Lanterns have been cultivated for centuries both as ornamental plants and for their edible berries. The distinctive orange lanterns have made them a favorite for fall decorations and dried arrangements worldwide.