Family:  Nightshade (Solanacea)

Hardy to Zones 8 to 12 , otherwise grown as an annual, 200 days to maturity

Evergreen or herbaceous subshrub, Native to Africa, India, Middle East and Orient. Traditional usage (Ayurveda):  energy and sexual tonic. Plant prefers full sun, fast-draining, alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.0) soil and dryish conditions.  Sweeten regular garden soil with ground limestone.  Light dependent germinator.  Sow in early spring indoors or in the greenhouse.  Average germ time 15 days.  Space 1 foot apart–grows 2 to 3 feet tall, producing eventually the lantern-like pods enclosing the pea-sized fruits, green at first and becoming bright red as the inflated calyx dries and becomes transparent.  Pretty little winter cherries.

Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown