Physalis Chinese Lanterns - Mr. Fothergill's Seeds

Physalis alkekengi

• Perennial
• Full sun
• Attractive Papery red Lanterns, Great Dried Flower!
• Creamy flowers followed by a papery lantern which turns red in the fall.
• Makes for a very interesting cut or dried flower.

Tiny creamy-white flowers are followed by fresh green papery lanterns which turn bright red in autumn. Lovely as cut or dried flowers.

CAUTION: Harmful if eaten. Do not eat berries.

Approx. 150 seeds

Sow indoors for surest results, March-July, 0.5cm (¼") deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-30 days. Transplant individually, when large enough to handle, to 7.5cm (3") pots. Always hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, July-October, 45cm (18") apart.

Sow thinly, outdoors, May-July, in a seed bed, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 5cm (2") apart, before planting out to flowering position in autumn. Flowers: July-October, the following year.

Will be very invasive if not kept in check. Keep surrounding area clear of any offshoots. 

For dried displays, cut when 'lanterns' show colour. Hang upside down in bunches, in a light, airy room. Remove leaves when stems are dry.