Apple of Peru

Nicandra physalodes

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Heat-loving

Description

This soaringly tall, easy-to-grow foliage plant is one of our most hardworking fillers on the farm. Stems are loaded with glowing green lanterns that appear after their periwinkle blossoms drop, and the plant resembles a giant tomatillo with blue flowers. A great addition to the landscape, each plant produces buckets of bouquet material from midsummer to autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest once seed pods have formed, and remove the foliage so that the lanterns are more visible. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Details

Description

This soaringly tall, easy-to-grow foliage plant is one of our most hardworking fillers on the farm. Stems are loaded with glowing green lanterns that appear after their periwinkle blossoms drop, and the plant resembles a giant tomatillo with blue flowers. A great addition to the landscape, each plant produces buckets of bouquet material from midsummer to autumn.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest once seed pods have formed, and remove the foliage so that the lanterns are more visible. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.