are tenderperennialsor biennials often grown as annuals.
Foliage is dark green, lance-shaped, and slightly fleshy in texture.
Lisianthus is in great demand for bridal bouquets and other special occasion arrangements.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Lisianthus Care
Lisanthus can be somewhat finicky to grow and care for but is worth the effort.
They look good in mixed containers and borders and make long-lasting cut flowers.
Light
Plant lisianthus infull sun, where it receives six to eight hours a day.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Soil
Lisianthus prefers soil rich inorganic mattersuch as manure, compost, orleaf mold.
Soil should be well-draining and not remain waterlogged, which can lead to root rot.Raised bedsand containers work well.
Lisianthus flowers need a balancedsoil pHbetween 6.5 and 7.0.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Soil too acidic or alkaline causes yellowing foliage, less vigor, and fewer blooms.
Overwatering leads to fungal diseases.
Timing can be a challenge which makes dripirrigationa preferred method for establishing a consistent watering schedule.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Temperature and Humidity
Lisianthus prefers warm environments, thriving in temperatures between 60F and 75F.
They tolerate drought but suffer in high humidity.
It may survive temperatures as low as 28F.
Apply it according to package directions throughout the plant’s growing season.
A constant nutrient stream is necessary to produce well-branched plants with abundant blossoms.
Types of Lisianthus
Lisianthus varieties are distinguished by color and size with most blooming in summer.
New cultivars are being introduced that continue to bloom into autumn.
Pruning
Proper pruning of summer bloomers can yield a second flush of flowers in autumn.
Start by cutting stems back to the basal rosette after the initial bloom.
Then pamper plants with regular irrigation and fertilizer and keep them free of weeds.
Look for a second flowering around mid-September.
You need a shovel, a sharp cutting tool, and a trowel.
Is This the Right Plant for You?
In zones 7 and lower, start seeds indoors in late fall.
It’s easier and more practical for home gardeners to buy mature seedlings from a garden center.
Potting & Repotting Lisianthus
Shorter varieties grow well in containers filled with ordinary potting medium.
Colors combine well in mixed containers with dianthus, coreopsis, baby’s breath, and snapdragons.
Plant nursery starts or plugs 3 to 4 inches apart in containers deep enough to accommodate the root ball.
Taller varieties require deeper pots and may require staking.
Tight placement allows plants to support each other.
Terracotta and clay pots are good material choices.
Best Planters for Lisianthus
Lisianthus grows very well in containers.
Though challenging, some gardeners find it possible to keep potted lisianthus growing indoors and flowering through winter.
Feed monthly with a weak diluted fertilizer.
Larvae live beneath the soil, feed heavily on roots, and can devastate plants.
Avoid overwatering and treat affected plants with a mild insecticide or neem oil.
Apply neem oil in cases of spider mite infestation.
Lisianthus are susceptible to plant viruses and stem cankers.
Affected plants must be removed and discarded.
How Long Does Lisianthus Bloom?
Each plant produces multiple flowers.
From opening of the first bud to when the last flower fades can take between two and four weeks.
What Do Lisianthus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Lisianthus flowers can be single or double.
Blossoms are often compared to roses and peonies with multiple petals but lisianthus have no fragrance.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Plants Topple Over
Long stems are often too thin to support double-bloom varieties.
Look for grow-through support rings or grids and other decorative stakes.
Cut Flowers Don’t Last
Lisianthus can last up to four weeks as cut flowers.
Harvest early in the day using sharp scissors to cut just above the basal leaves.
Remove leaves below the waterline and trim stem bottoms before placing in the vase.
Refresh water every two to three days.
Lisianthus come back every year in some zones.
They are tender perennials hardy in zone 8 and higher and transitional in zone 7.
In all other zones they are grown as annuals and must be replanted every year.
Lisianthus needs full sun, 6 to 8 hours daily.
In climates with extremely high temperatures in summer, afternoon shade is tolerated.
Giving these plants a consistent amount of light daily is critical for flowering.
Yes, lisianthus are hard to grow.
They need consistent maintenance, including regular watering, fertilization, and deadheading.
They can be fussy about light and temperature and are difficult to start with seeds.
Most growers purchase nursery plants or plugs and plant them as annuals in the summer garden or in containers.
Lisianthus blooms all summer through the first frost.
To encourage continued bloom, check that to deadhead spent flowers.
Yes, lisianthus attract hummingbirds.
They flower for two months, and sometimes flower again several months later, making them popular with pollinators.
