Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Solanaceae
Native
Asia and Europe
Life Cycle
Perennial
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Flower Color
Orange
Bloom Season
Summer
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
Cut Flower
About Chinese Lantern Seeds
Physalis alkekengi
Flowers are small, white and star-shaped, with calyces that enlarge and change from green to red-orange in late summer/fall
Planting More Flowers
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 12"–18"
Hardiness Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Planting Depth
⅛"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | ⅛" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 12"–18" |
| Thinning | When 4" tall, thin to 12"–18" apart |
| Germination | 20–25 days |
| Start Indoors | RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. |
| Direct Sow | 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date, or in summer up to 2 months before your average first fall frost date. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
16 reviews
- Christy R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars11/8/26Love Chinese Lanterns plants
I had a Chinese lantern plant that came back for several years. Great for drying and using in flower arrangements. It died last year so I was so excited to see that Botanical Interests sells the seeds.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests11/10/26Hey Christy,
We're so thrilled to hear that you've loved your Chinese Lantern plants over the years! It's wonderful that you got so much enjoyment out of them for drying and using in flower arrangements.
We're so excited that you found our Chinese Lantern Seeds and can grow them again! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us and our gardening community. We're so glad you're back to growing these beauties!
Keep on growing 🌻
- Cati S.Rated 2 out of 5 stars10/20/26Be careful where you plant them, they definitely spread!
I planted the starts one spring and they struggled that season mostly because of earwigs. I didn’t know if they would return the next spring after their first winter and boy did they return! They spread by runners so they were everywhere. They weren’t quite what I was hoping for so I did a lot of pulling and digging them out. If you have an area that you would like to fill with a bed of green then they might be what you’re looking for.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests10/28/26Hey Cati,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We appreciate you letting us know about how the Chinese Lantern Seeds performed in your garden. It sounds like they really took off once they were established, and we're glad you found a way to manage them in your space. Your feedback about how they spread is super helpful for other gardeners who are planning where to plant them!
Keep on growing 🌻
- Julieann W.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/17/26Incredibly hearty!
In 2025, I seeded these indoors and while acclimating them, I accidentally let them dry out. A few days of watering, two seemed viable so I planted them. But they were in an area without irrigation and I neglected them yet again. They never grew taller than 4" and no had flowers, which was my fault.
Imagine my surprise when I learned the rhizomes survived and multiplied like crazy! This is the area that had two half dead plants last year. 2025, May in Denver (zone 6a) and I've got 2 dozen seedlings. I am SO excited for these to bloom and will come back to post photos when they do. They are very invasive as the description reads so be warned but as there is nothing else in this area, I'm all for it. Ridiculously hearty growers and I can't wait for summer blooms! Like all Botanical Interest seeds, these are great quality.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/18/26Hey Julieann,
We love hearing that despite the challenges in 2025, your Chinese Lantern Seeds survived and multiplied like crazy - from two struggling plants to 2 dozen seedlings is incredible! We can't wait to see those summer blooms when you post photos, and we're so excited you're giving them the space to really thrive this time around. Thanks for sharing your Chinese Lantern comeback success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Esther M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/14/26All the seeds I ordered are great!
I’m totally happy with botanical interests.
Love the seeds and the customer service is super!
I will definitely order again. Thank you!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests3/15/26Hey Esther,
Wow, thank you so much for this amazing feedback! It means the world to us to know that you're totally happy with both the quality of our seeds and our customer service team. We can't wait to help you with your next growing adventure when you order again! Thank you for choosing us and for taking the time to share this wonderful review. Keep on growing 🌻️
- HudsonRated 5 out of 5 stars1/13/265 Stars
Thank you! Super excited and loved the extra goodies in my package