Lisianthus flowers are drought-tolerant beauties with elegant, multi-bloom stems that elevate both gardens and a decorative vase.
The ruffled petals and elegant buds come in many colors.
Some newer varieties are bred to be dwarf, which is much better for a home garden setting.
Credit: John Reed Forsman
When selecting blooms for cut flowers, pick stems that are nearly but not quite fully open.
Buds that are too small and tight won’t open properly.
Whatever name it goes by, the blooms of lisianthus are what this plant is all about.
Credit: John Reed Forsman
Lisianthus is native to ditches andgrasslandsin some western states.
These plants are perfect for beds and borders.
Lisianthus is native to North America.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Space them 4 to 6 inches apart and position them slightly higher than the soil level.
They do best in neutral or slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5-7.0) that is well-draining and enriched withcompost.
Growing lisianthus transplants from seeds is tricky, even for experts.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
They need five to six months from seed to bloom.
After the seedlings emerge, remove the plasticbut not the grow lightsand maintain a temperature above 60F.
Lisianthus seed is tiny, almost dust-like.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The pelleted seeds are easier to handle and see in the planting medium.
In Zones 8-10, plant seeds outdoors in late summer for blooms the following spring.
Soil and Water
Lisianthus preferswell-draining soilenriched withorganic matter, such as compost or leaf mold.
Credit: Scott Little
The pH should remain in the neutral range of 6.5 to 7.0.
The soil should stay moist but not wet.
Water as soon as the soil feels dry, keeping the moisture off the leaves.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
A soaker hose is a useful addition to any lisianthus garden bed.
A soaker hose is an irrigation tool with tiny holes that delivers water slowly and evenly to plant roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Lisianthus is a heat-loving,drought-tolerant plant.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Fertilizer
Pruning
Deadheading lisianthusencourages perpetual blooms.
In areas with extremely low temperatures, use a row cover for added protection.
Plants that grow in wet conditions are susceptible to problems with leaf spot, botrytis, andpowdery mildew.
Apply neem oil in the early morning or evening to avoid plant burn from direct sunlight.
How to Propagate Lisianthus
When growing lisianthus, plan on investing some time.
Look for pelleted seed that gives you larger particles to work with.
Lisianthus can also be propagated bystem cuttingstaken in spring.
Types of Lisianthus
‘Balboa White’ Lisianthus
Eustoma’Balboa White' offers doublewhite bloomson 3-foot-tall plants.
‘Forever White’ Lisianthus
Eustoma’Forever White' is an award-winning selection with pure-white flowers on 10-inch-tall plants.
‘Lisa Pink’ Lisianthus
ThisEustomaselection offers singlepink bloomson compact, 8-inch-tall plants.
Lisianthus Companion Plants
Ornamental Pepper
Heat up your garden withornamental peppers!
But these are so attractive in their own right that they can be grown just for shownot eating.
They like rich, well-drained soil that’s evenly moist.
Annual Vinca
You have tolove annual vincait really delivers.
Whether the summer is dry or wet, hot or cold, vinca plugs along unfazed.
Plant established seedlings in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Vinca withstands drought but does best with moderate moisture.
Like impatiens, this plant tends to be “self-cleaning” and needs little deadheading.
Zinnias
Want fast color for just pennies?Plant zinnias!
They also make outstanding and cut-worthy blooms.
Cut the flower stems early in the morning when the temperature is coolest.
Choose a stem that has one or more open flowers and cut it near the plant base.
Each lisianthus stem carries several flowers that bud and bloom in sequence.
The time from the first bud blooms until the last flower is two to four weeks.
Pinching the spent blooms can extend blossom production.
