Chingma-lantern
Abutilon theophrasti
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Chingma-lantern (Abutilon theophrasti) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–60" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Chingma-lantern
Chingma-lantern is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaChingma-lantern is a tall annual plant that grows 2-5 feet high with heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers in summer. This plant has a somewhat weedy appearance and tends to self-seed readily in disturbed soils. It produces distinctive papery seed pods that give it the lantern name.
In an HOA neighborhood
Chingma-lantern takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Considered a weed by many
- Can spread aggressively by seed
- Informal, unkempt appearance
Wildlife value
The summer flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. Seeds may provide food for birds in late summer and fall.
Common questions
- How much sun does Chingma-lantern need?
- Chingma-lantern grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Chingma-lantern bloom?
- Chingma-lantern blooms in June and July.
- What pollinators does Chingma-lantern attract?
- Chingma-lantern draws bees and beetles.
- Is Chingma-lantern HOA-friendly?
- Chingma-lantern takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Chingma-lantern? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz