How to Grow Platycodon Plants

Guide to Growing Balloon Flower / Bellflowers

The Platycodon contains one species, and this is commonly grown in the garden; it goes by the common names of Balloon Flower or Bellflower.

The plant is a hardy perennial that has stalks that reach 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) in height.

Platycodon flowers in the summer with white, blue, or purple bell shaped flowers.

Platycodon grandiflorus
Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon flower) by Carl E Lewis.

Platycodon Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Balloon flower, Bellflower (Korean, Japanese, Chinese).
Genus Information: Contains just one species: Platycodon grandiflorus.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 12 to 24 inches (30—60 cm).
Native: : East Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: Blue, white, pink, purple. Fused petals. Bell-shaped. Up-turned. Carried on arching stems.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Dark green.
Sow Outside: Surface. Spring or summer.
Sow Inside: Germination time: two to four weeks in the light. Temperature: 70°F (21°C). Use peat pots as seedlings are delicate. Start seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors towards the end of spring. Spacing 10 to 18 inches (25—45 cm).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Rich soil, moist soil. Regular watering. Occasional light feed. Deadhead to prolong blooming season. Propagate: by taking cuttings in the summer. Plants can also be propagated by dividing in the spring in cooler areas, or the autumn in warmer areas; this is not recommended as Platycodon grandiflorus is a very delicate plant and is slow to recover from any disturbance.
Family:
Closely Related Species:
Miscellaneous: Flower buds swell up before opening, hence the common name of Balloon flower. Roots are used in Korean culinary, and also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughs and for anti-inflammatory purposes. One of the seven traditional Japanese autumn flowers.

How to Grow Balloon Flower

The seeds of Balloon flowers (Platycodon) should be sown on the soil surface in either spring or summer. They have a preference for a rich and moist soil, and like to grow in sunny or partially shaded areas of the garden that have good drainage.

If starting off indoors, do so about 7 or 8 weeks in advance. It should take seeds about two to four weeks to germinate at 20 degrees Celsius.

The seedlings should be transplanted with great care into the garden at the end of spring, spaced about 25 cm to 75 cm apart depending upon the size of the Platycodon variety.

Caring for Platycodon

It is quite easy to care for Platycodon; they like a moist soil so keep well watered, and dead head the flowers to extend the period in which they bloom. As they are very delicate plants it may be wise to carefully stake larger varieties. It is best to propagate plants by taking cuttings in the spring or growing from seeds; although the plants can be propagated by division this can often damage the plant.