Planting
Chinese lanterns require well-draining soil that’s moderately rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
A good-quality general-purpose potting mix works well.
I like FoxFarm Ocean Forest potting soil as it contains all the good stuff like bat guano, fish emulsion, earthworm castings, and sphagnum moss.
You can pick up this moisture-retentive, well-draining mix in 12-quart bags from FoxFarm via Amazon.
Avoid using garden soil in containers – it tends to compact easily, plus it can harbor unwanted pests or pathogens.
If you’re starting with a nursery plant, remove it gently from its pot and loosen the roots gently with your fingers.
Fill your container about one-third full with your potting mix, then position the plant so the crown sits at the same depth it was in the grower’s pot.
Backfill around the root ball with more soil, firming it gently to eliminate air pockets.
Water thoroughly until water runs from the drainage holes and if the soil settles, add a bit more.
If you want to start from seed, you’ll need to sow indoors six to eight weeks ahead of the last frost date.
Need some seeds?
You can find packets of seeds available at Botanical Interests.
Use small starter pots filled with seed-starting mix.
Chinese lantern seeds need light to germinate, so press them gently onto the soil surface.
Keep the soil moist and maintain temperatures between 70 and 75°F.
When seedlings develop their second set of true leaves, you can pot up into larger containers.
Container Care
Choose a location with full sun. Chinese lanterns tolerate partial shade but for the brightest color lanterns, they do better in ample sunlight.
In regions with intense summer heat, you may wish to provide a bit of afternoon shade to help keep containers from drying out too quickly.
Chinese lanterns require moderately moist soil. During establishment, ensure that the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. In hot weather, you may need to check your plants daily.
You can use a moisture meter or simply stick your finger into the soil. For established plants, water when the top inch feels dry.
If the top inch of soil is still moist, wait another day before checking again.
Water deeply until it runs out of the drainage holes.
