Winter Cherry Plant Care
Alkekengi officinarum Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Alkekengi is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae with a single species Alkekengi officinarum. This species is native to the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and Northeast Asia.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Winter Cherry?
Water Winter Cherry every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Winter Cherry Native To?
What Is the Winter Cherry?
Winter Cherry (Alkekengi officinarum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Alkekengi genus. Winter Cherry is native to the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and Northeast Asia. Winter Cherry is also known as Chinese Lantern, Japanese Lantern, Balloon Berry.
Winter Cherry displays a spreading perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Winter Cherry produces bright orange to red papery husks enclosing small fruits.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Winter Cherry?
Alkekengi officinarum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Winter Cherry Need?
Winter Cherry thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Winter Cherry Prefer?
Alkekengi officinarum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Winter Cherry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Winter Cherry?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is essential for Winter Cherry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Winter Cherry?
Feed Winter Cherry every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Winter Cherry?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Winter Cherry?
Winter Cherry can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes.
Is the Winter Cherry Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Winter Cherry?
Winter Cherry is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Winter Cherry Need?
Winter Cherry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Winter Cherry is native to the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and Northeast Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Winter Cherry is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Alkekengi genus — compare its care with other Alkekengi species on PlantoScan.
Alkekengi is part of the Solanaceae plant family — browse all Solanaceae genera and species.
Winter Cherry thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Alkekengi officinarum Moench, family Solanaceae (first published in Suppl. Meth. (Moench) 177. 1802 [2 May 1802]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Winter Cherry is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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