What Is Lisianthus, and Why Does It Last So Long in a Vase?

Lisianthus is a ruffled, long-stemmed cut flower in the gentian family, known botanically as Eustoma grandiflorum and also called prairie gentian or Texas bluebell. North Carolina State Extension describes it as an excellent cut flower with blooms 1 to 3 inches across in pink, purple, lavender, and white. It lasts because each stem carries a series of buds that keep opening after the stem is cut.

For a flower that looks this delicate, its background is a surprise. Lisianthus is a North American prairie native, with a home range that North Carolina State Extension gives as Nebraska south to Texas. It is also slow. The same source says it can take about 5 months from planting to first bloom, which goes a long way toward explaining why a bunch costs more than its soft, simple look suggests. This post covers what lisianthus is, what it looks like, why it lasts, when it is in season in Western Pennsylvania, and how to care for it in a vase.

What is lisianthus?

Lisianthus is the florist's name for Eustoma grandiflorum, a flowering plant in the gentian family, Gentianaceae. Its other common names, bluebell gentian, prairie gentian and Texas bluebell, point to where it comes from. 

North Carolina State Extension classifies it as a biennial that is native to the midwestern United States and survives winter only in USDA Zones 8 to 10. Oakmont is in zone 6b, so in Western Pennsylvania lisianthus is grown as an annual: planted in spring, cut through summer and fall, and finished by frost.

What does lisianthus look like?

Each stem is upright and slender, single or branching, with several flowers and buds along the top. North Carolina State Extension describes the leaves as gray-green and waxy, and the cultivars grown for cutting as typically 18 to 30 inches tall.

The flowers are bell-shaped, with petals that flare at the edges. Single varieties have one layer of petals. Double-flowered varieties have many layers of ruffled petals, which is why lisianthus gets compared to a small garden rose.

Color is a large part of the appeal. The species is known for pink, lavender and white, and cut flower varieties extend that into softer shades. Roots to Petals lists its lisianthus bunches in pink, peach, champagne and mixed.

Why does lisianthus last so long in a vase?

Lisianthus lasts because a stem is a sequence of flowers at different stages. When the first blooms fade, the buds behind them are still developing.

Roots to Petals notes on its lisianthus listing that the stems last two weeks or more in the vase with proper care, as the buds continue maturing and opening over time. For comparison, Penn State Extension gives one to two weeks as the range for a well-kept mixed bouquet. Lisianthus sits at the long end of that range or beyond it. 

That staying power makes it a practical choice whenever flowers need to look good for more than a few days:

• A gift for someone recovering at home
• Flowers for a week of house guests
• An arrangement ordered ahead of an event
• A subscription bouquet that has to carry until the next one arrives

Why does lisianthus cost more than it looks like it should?

Time is the reason. North Carolina State Extension explains that lisianthus seeds are very small, that plants take months to mature, and that it can take about 5 months from planting to first bloom. It recommends starting seed indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost, and rates the plant's maintenance level as high.

Put that on a local calendar. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Pittsburgh International Airport give April 23 as the median date of the last 32-degree night in spring. Counting back 10 to 12 weeks puts seed starting between about January 29 and February 12. A grower in Western Pennsylvania is tending lisianthus seedlings indoors in midwinter, for flowers that will not be cut until summer.

The price of a lisianthus stem reflects those months of growing time and attention before the first bud opens.

When is lisianthus in season in Western Pennsylvania? 

Field-grown lisianthus is a summer and early fall flower here. North Carolina State Extension gives its bloom period as summer to first frost, and NOAA's normals put the median first 32-degree night at Pittsburgh International Airport at October 23. 

Outside that window, lisianthus is still available from growers in warmer climates. Roots to Petals describes its own sourcing this way: locally grown specialty cut flowers, including its own, whenever possible, and similar specialty cut flowers from warmer climates out of season. 

The shop's post on why locally grown flowers make a difference covers the case for buying in season. 

How do you care for lisianthus in a vase?

Lisianthus needs the same care as any cut flower, done consistently, since it will be in the vase longer than most.

• Start with a clean vase. Iowa State University Extension recommends washing vases with hot, soapy water.
• Strip any leaves that would sit below the water line.
• Recut the stems. Iowa State suggests removing the bottom half inch to one inch with a sharp knife.
• Use flower food. Penn State Extension notes that commercial floral preservatives acidify the water, feed the flowers and deter bacteria, and work better than homemade mixes.
• Change the water every few days, and recut the stems each time.
• Keep the vase cool, out of direct sun and away from heat vents.

Remove flowers as they fade. The buds further up each stem are the reason to keep the bunch going.

How is lisianthus used in bouquets and arrangements?

Lisianthus works alone or in a mix. A bunch by itself in a simple vase shows off the range of open flowers and buds on each stem.

In mixed designs, it pairs with other garden-style flowers. Roots to Petals names lisianthus among the flowers in its round centerpieces, alongside ranunculus, anemones, scabiosa and specialty garden-style roses. Its soft colors and ruffled shape fit the loose, seasonal style the shop describes in its guide to choosing a garden-style bouquet.

Anyone ordering a designer's choice bouquet who wants lisianthus in it should say so. The shop's post on choosing a bouquet from a Pittsburgh flower shop explains how to make requests like that. 

FAQ 

Is lisianthus the same as Texas bluebell?

Yes. Texas bluebell, prairie gentian and bluebell gentian are all common names for Eustoma grandiflorum, the plant florists call lisianthus. 

Is lisianthus a type of rose?

No. Lisianthus belongs to the gentian family. Double-flowered varieties have layered petals that resemble a small rose.

How long does lisianthus last in a vase? 

Two weeks or more with proper care, according to Roots to Petals, because the buds keep opening after the first flowers fade. 

Is lisianthus a perennial?

North Carolina State Extension lists it as hardy only in USDA Zones 8 to 10. In Western Pennsylvania, which is zone 6b to 7a, it is grown as an annual. 

Is lisianthus toxic to cats?

Lisianthus does not appear on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists for cats. The ASPCA notes that eating any plant material may cause vomiting and stomach upset, so keep bouquets away from pets that chew. 

How tall does lisianthus grow?

Cut flower cultivars typically reach 18 to 30 inches, and dwarf varieties stay at 6 to 8 inches. 

Can you grow lisianthus from seed?

Yes, with patience. Seed is started 10 to 12 weeks indoors before the last frost, and first bloom comes about 5 months after planting. North Carolina State Extension notes that most gardeners buy transplants instead.

Lisianthus and Garden-Style Flowers at Roots to Petals

Roots to Petals is an independent, woman-owned florist at 527 Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont that designs garden-style bouquets and arrangements with locally grown flowers in season. The shop offers a lisianthus bunch of ten stems for pickup when it is available, along with everyday bouquets and arrangements and centerpieces for pickup or delivery. Custom requests are welcome by phone.

Visit Roots to Petals or call 412-822-6023 today. Contact us for more information.