Agapetes serpens

Also Known As

Himalayan Lantern

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 2'-6'
W: 4'-8'

planting zones

9a-12

More Options

Agapetes serpens plant details

Agapetes serpens is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring red flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agapetes serpens

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 4 FT - 8 FT - wide, 2 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in spring
Uses: container plant, epiphyte, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agapetes serpens

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: acidic, average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Himalayan Lantern, Agapetes serpens, is rare plant native to the cloudforests of the Himalayas closely related to the more familiar blueberries and huckleberries. Growing as small shrub, in the wild this plant can grow as an epiphyte, high in the branches of trees or on cliff sides. With long, reaching stems, this plant looks best mounted high in a hanging basket where the dangling, pendulous flowers can be best appreciated. Similar to its cousin, the blueberry, Himalayan Lantern makes a fruit that is edible and if you’re feeling adventurous, the blossoms are filled with nectar like a honeysuckle. Cold hardy to USDA zone 8b and above, or to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

By: Wanderlust Nursery

Produces a large woody tuber at the base from which long arching branches delicately lined with thin leaves. Pendulous pale red tubular flowers hang along the stems in winter. Can grow without soil as a epiphyte. Hummingbirds love it.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Exotic, epiphytic, blueberry relation from China with gorgeous, red, heavily veined flowers dangling all along the undersides of arching stems for a long period in spring. Evergreen, the new foliage emerges red creating texture and contrast along branches that emerge from a caudex-like base, eventually reaching up to 3-5' long. Perhaps best kept in a container for its hardiness -- to 22 °F or so -- as well as to show off the weeping form, particularly handsome at eye level. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and protection from hot afternoon sun. Tolerates more sun in coastal areas. Cold hardy in USDA zones 9-10.

By: Cistus Nursery

Arching shrub with small, lance-shaped leaves. Urn-shaped scarlet red flowers with darker red markings, hang beneath the branches like little Japanese lanterns. Light blue fruit.

By: The Bovees Nursery

This flamboyant Blueberry relative is almost hardy our area but is an easy and dramatic attention-getter in a pot, We keep ours in the cool greenhouse over winter but will do fine inside or if you are annoyingly mild like West Seattle, just bring in during hard freezes. 1" red tubular flowers.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Ericaceae. A very attractive epiphyte native to the Himalayas Mts. that grows a very large tuber and has very attractive pendant red and yellow flowers. Prefers light shade. Highly recommended. Can be grown outside during the summer under trees.