Plant Profile: Gomphocarpus physocarpa

The Balloon Plant is a perennial herbaceous shrub indigenous to South Africa, belonging to the milkweed family. Thriving in USDA zones 8 to 10, it can also be cultivated as an annual in cooler regions. While its white flowers are modest and appear in drooping clusters, they are exclusively pollinated by vespid wasps and hornets. The plant's most striking feature is its follicles—soft, inflated, round seed pods that start off yellowish-green and mature to release seeds adorned with silky tufts in the fall.

For optimal growth, plant it in well-drained sandy soil that remains moderately moist and ensure it receives full sunlight. This plant is both drought and heat tolerant, making it suitable for the back of an annual garden or for use in containers. Additionally, its stems and follicles are often incorporated into floral arrangements.