Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii 'Gigantea'

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese lantern 'Gigantea'

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A vigorous, spreading, rhizomatous perennial to 1m tall, with upright stems bearing broadly ovate leaves. Tiny, creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers are produced in summer; these are followed by large, inflated, papery orange 'lanterns' (calyces), which contain a small berry. The stems can be cut for use in floral arrangements

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenexcept ripe fruit. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eatenexcept ripe fruit - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Physalis can be annuals or rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and small bell-shaped flowers in the leaf axils, followed by fleshy, sometimes edible, yellow, red or purple berries, enclosed in enlarged, often colourful, calyces
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillar damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free