Lisianthus
Eustoma
Lisianthus blooms from June through September.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Lisianthus
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 8–11. Expect it to reach about 1.6 ft tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Lisianthus
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Lisianthus into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from June to September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 9 in February.
Comes in 7 varieties across 6 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Lisianthus
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Warm temperatures during the seedling stage make lisianthus form a flat leafy rosette instead of flowering; only a cool spell reverses it. per Plant Science and Arkansas
How much sun
Full sun where summers are mild, but in hot-summer regions give morning sun with afternoon shade to limit heat stress and prolong bloom. per NC State and RHS
Pests: garden vs commercial
In the garden NC State reports no serious insect problems, but dense polytunnel cut-flower crops battle aphids, thrips, whiteflies and leaf miners that also spread viruses. per NC State and AHDB
Top-selling cut flower
One of the world's top-selling cut flowers, with a vase life of roughly 7 to 15 days; a floral preservative and ethylene management extend it. per NC State and Horticulturae
Slow and fussy from seed
Slow and difficult from seed: tiny seeds, slow early growth, about 10 to 12 weeks indoors before last frost. Most gardeners buy started plants or plugs. per NC State and Arkansas
Wants a higher pH
Unusually for a flower, it wants neutral to slightly alkaline soil, about pH 6.5 to 7.2. Below pH 6.0 can trigger zinc toxicity, so avoid acidic beds. per Arkansas and AHDB
Botrytis and Fusarium threats
Its worst diseases, Botrytis (gray mold) and Fusarium, thrive in wet, poorly drained, humid ground. Sharp drainage and watering at the base keep them down. per NC State and AHDB
What pairs well with Lisianthus
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Candytuft
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border.
False Indigo
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; opens in late spring and overlaps into this one's season; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Rock Cress
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 4 in, for the front of the border.
Fountain Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Pampas Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 8.2 ft, for the layer behind it.
Rosemary
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Gardenia
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate to high water; opens in late spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Lilac
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; taller at 9.8 ft, for the layer behind it; echoes the purple.
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