A Detailed Guide to the Characteristics, Planting and Care of Balloon Flowers

The balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Platycodon in the family Campanulaceae, also known as the bellflower or monk's hood flower. It grows wild or is cultivated in most regions of China. Its buds swell up like little balloons, and when they open they take on a bell shape, most commonly in blue-purple, though there are also white and pink varieties. It should be noted that it is not the same plant as the lisianthus (Eustoma) commonly seen in flower shops; the two belong to different families and genera, and only their flower shapes are somewhat similar.

In terms of ornamental characteristics, the balloon flower usually blooms in summer and autumn, and the plant is moderate in height, making it suitable both for planting in the ground in courtyards and for growing in pots on balconies. Based on petal form, it can be divided into single-flowered and double-flowered types; double-flowered varieties have richer layers and greater ornamental appeal. It likes a sunny, well-ventilated environment and has fairly good cold tolerance, but it fears waterlogged soil causing root rot above all.

For care, a loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil is best. During the growing season, keeping the potting soil slightly moist is enough, and overwatering must be avoided. Before budding and flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be added appropriately to promote fuller blooms. Removing spent flowers promptly after blooming can reduce nutrient consumption. After the aboveground parts wither in winter, the underground rhizome can overwinter in the soil and sprout again the following spring, so with proper care it can be enjoyed for many years.

The root of the balloon flower has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb, and in some regions there is also a custom of pickling it as a dish, making it a plant that is both ornamental and practical. In everyday growing, the question gardeners ask most often is how it differs from lisianthus: lisianthus is mostly grown as an annual or biennial, comes in a wide range of flower colors, and is an important cut-flower material; balloon flower, by contrast, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is hardier and easier to grow, and once planted in a courtyard it can bloom for many years.