What Are Lisianthia Flowers?

Appearance

• Lisianthus grow up to 23 inches tall; small varieties grow about 6 inches tall. They have trumpet-shaped flowers with flaring lobes, and cut flowers last a long time. Double-flower cultivars have up to 20 flower petals; they look like roses when they are fully open. Single-flower cultivars have about 10 petals and look like poppies when in full bloom. Cultivars are available in a wide range of colors, from rich blues and purples, to pastels in pink, lavender and blue, to ivory and white. Some cultivars are bicolored.

Growing

• As garden plants, lisianthus require full sun. They prefer a rich, loamy garden soil containing a high amount of organic material, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Proper drainage is essential; they will not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Lisianthus are winter-hardy in USDA region eight and warmer, so in colder areas, they are planted outside in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Flowering

• Most varieties of lisianthus flower in summer, generally 12 to 14 weeks after seedlings are transplanted into the garden. Flowering is triggered by light, with about 16 hours of daylight necessary to produce blooms. These plants usually do well in the hottest part of the summer, when many other garden plants temporarily stop flowering. If deadheaded, they will produce more flowers after a short rest period. When grown indoors, lisianthus will flower under supplemental lighting.

Starting Lisianthus from Seed

• Lisianthus can be grown from seed, which is available from several companies. The growing medium should be kept at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It must be kept evenly moist. Seeds should be left uncovered. Germination occurs in 10 to 20 days. The seedlings will grow slowly for the first 12 weeks. Growing temperatures of 59 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. Maintain even moisture, misting seedlings if necessary, and provide proper air circulation. Fertilize sparingly. Strong indirect light is best for seedlings.