The chinese lantern plant also known as winter cherry or bladder cherry is a member of the potato solanaceae (potato) family. Usually ripening in late autumn, the Chinese lantern plant is used mostly for decorative purposes but is also harvested for its fruit. The fruit has twice the Vitamin C of lemons or limes and resembles a blonde-red cherry tomato with a sweeter taste than its relative, the tomatillo.

Ideal Site- Chinese lantern needs full sun and does best in a fertile well drained loam soil. The ideal pH is 5.5-6.7. Prior to planting apply a medium fertility soil improver.

Seed to Harvest- 100-120 days., when used as a fruit.

Cultivation- Sow individual seeds in indoor containers six to eight weeks before the last frost.. Keep soil moist but not too wet.. After danger of frost has past transplant your seedlings in the soil, spacing them approximately 12-18in / 30 –45cm apart so they have room to grow. Bury the roots 1/2 in/ 1.25cm deep in the soil and cover with moist soil, patting it down around the base of the plant

Plant Care- Water new plants often, providing enough soil moisture for the plants to drink. Maintain the soil's moisture regularly, especially during drought, but don't over-water, as this could lead to plant rot and kill your new Chinese lanterns. If necessary use a general purpose organic fertilizer once a month.
 

Problems- Aphids, Red Spider Mite, whitefly, various plant eating insects, and stem and root rot. The plant is generally free of disease free.

Harvesting- Chinese lantern is generally as a decorative plant, however if grown for the fruit make sure the fruit is fully ripe prior to picking. Eat the fruit with caution, for if it is unripe, like a potato, it can be toxic, containing something called solanine. Solanine normally causes problems with the gastrointestinal system, (i.e. diarrhea, gastroentinitis, etc) but again, it is only apparent in unripened fruits. Some cultures use al the parts of the plant for medicinal purposes.

Medical Uses- The whole plant is antiphlogistic (inflamation-reducing), antipyretic (fever-reducing), antitussive (cough-suppressing); and expectorant (phelgm-promoting--kind of like Mucinex).

The leaves themselves have been used to prevent fever (febrifuge), to promote early labor, and to treat malaise from malaria, for weak or anaemic people. Historically, it was used to treat gravel and Lithiasis (kidney-stone like conditions), fever and gout.

The herb is marketed today for myriad medical uses, such as bed-wetting, facial paralysis, nocturnal incontenince, hoarse voice and ... the desire to talk constantly.