Flower Library
Chinese Lantern Lily
Sandersonia · Colchicaceae
Sandersonia carries small orange bells that hang like paper lanterns from a fine, gently curving stem — hence the German name lantern flower. It is an exotic accent that instantly adds playfulness and lightness to bouquets, yet lasts surprisingly long. We pick it up at the Veiling Rhein-Maas whenever the quality is right, because fresh stems with still-closed tip buds open fully in the vase.
- Season
- Year-round
- Vase life
- 10–16 days
- Latin name
- Sandersonia
- Colors
- Orange, Apricot, Golden orange
Botanically sandersonia is a close relative of the gloriosa: both belong to the Colchicaceae family and grow from tubers. As with the glory lily, all parts contain colchicine — no problem for the vase, but a reason to keep it away from children and pets.
The bells open from the bottom of the stem upwards. Good stock shows two to three open lanterns with firm, greenish-orange buds above them that continue to open in the vase. If all the bells are already fully coloured and papery, the best time has passed.
In arrangements sandersonia works as a line and movement flower. Its curved stem gives bouquets a dancing edge without adding bulk. It combines beautifully with round shapes such as craspedia or gerbera and with grasses that echo its lightness.
Its colour sits in a warm orange to apricot range that feels both summery and autumnal. Tone on tone with yellow and terracotta it creates a warm look; against blue and violet the orange positively leaps out.
A common mistake is forcing the fine stems deep into dense bouquets — they snap or the bells get crushed. Sandersonia sits better loosely at the edge or raised above the binding point, where the lanterns can swing freely.
Is Chinese Lantern Lily toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Toxic
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
As with the related gloriosa, all parts contain colchicine and are toxic to cats, dogs and children. Keep out of reach and wash hands after handling. If ingestion is suspected, seek medical or veterinary advice.
Typical symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and abdominal pain; larger amounts can cause severe poisoning with delayed onset.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife and place them in clean, room-temperature water.
- 02Use a low water level and top up frequently instead — the fine stems rot otherwise.
- 03Keep out of direct sun and away from the fruit bowl (ethylene ages the bells faster).
- 04Gently pluck out spent lanterns at the bottom of the stem so the upper buds open on.
- 05A cool spot overnight extends vase life, but do not store below about eight degrees.
- 06Wash your hands after handling — the plant contains colchicine.
Frequently asked
- How long does sandersonia last in the vase?
- Sandersonia is one of the longer-lasting exotics: with clean water and a cool spot, ten to sixteen days are realistic, because the buds along the stem open one after another. The key is fresh stock with tip buds still closed.
- Is the Chinese lantern lily toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. Like its relative the gloriosa, sandersonia contains colchicine in all its parts. Even nibbling can cause serious poisoning in cats and dogs. In pet households place the vase out of reach, or better, choose a pet-safe alternative.
- When is sandersonia in season?
- Dutch growers supply mainly through the summer months, while in winter stock arrives from New Zealand, where the season peaks then. Via the auction the lantern flower is therefore available almost all year, with small gaps between the growing windows.
- What does sandersonia combine best with?
- With anything that does not crush its lightness: grasses such as bear grass or panicum, round blooms like craspedia and gerbera, plus warm yellow or a blue contrast. In dense, compact bouquets the delicate arc of the stems gets lost.