Plantern is an environment modifier plant in Plants vs. Zombies 3: Evolved. It available for a limited number of charge in 1 round and can use light to make the screen more visible, such as removing fog in a 3x5 area. Plantern can also reveal Stealth Imps in a 3x5 area.
Origins
It is based on the plant of the same name from the original game, though his ability to reveal invisible zombies may be inspired by his appearance in the Chinese version of Plants vs. Zombies 2.
Strategies
Plantern can be utilized as a cheap plant for clearing the fog in a 3x5 area as long as it lives on the lawn. Clearing the fog allows the player to look at the zombies through the hidden fog and allows player to plant offensive plants in the correct lanes. It is important that once the Plantern is destroyed, the fog returns immediately, so the player must plant it behind defensive plants like Wall-Nuts.
Its passive ability can also force the Stealth Imps in its 3x5 radius to reveal themselves without having to distract them from eating, which is more drastic in levels where Wall-nuts are not available. The player must plant offensive plants that can support and defend Plantern as once it is eaten, the Stealth Imp will return to its cloaked state until he starts eating another plant or there is another Plantern nearby.