Lisianthus blooms have such a soft, feminine look and they’re so long-lasting.
They’re the kind of flower that people admire, but very few know their name. I’ve known those who mistake the double-petalled varieties for roses and even peonies.
Below is an overview of the Lisianthus: –
What is the Latin name?
Eustoma
What is it commonly known as?
Lisianthus
How do you pronounce it?
lizzie-ANN-thus
What does it look like?
Delicate trumpets of white, purple, pink, cream, lilac or bi-coloured flowers in single and double-petalled varieties. An example of bi-colouring is white petals with a purple rim.
When can you buy them?
Available all year round
Where can you buy them from?
Florists, supermarkets and garden centres. Make sure when you buy them that at least one flower is open on each stem.
How do you look after them?
Cut the stems on a slant with scissors and place them in a clean vase with fresh water. Do keep them away from bright sunlight as they don’t like humidity.
Did you know?
They’re also known as prairie gentians or Texas bluebells. And I’ve heard and seen them called Lizzy at flower markets.
Lisianthus means ‘bitter flower’. This refers to the taste of the flowers which were traditionally used in herbal medicine…not of course, something I’d recommend nowadays!
(Images : Rona Wheeldon for Flowerona)
Max says
April 14, 2011 at 5:11 amSuch a great flower. I love them as they are so versatile and last so well as well. Nice photo’s by the way
Rona says
April 14, 2011 at 5:46 pmThank you, Max…
Rosie Bray says
April 14, 2011 at 8:38 amHow wonderful! I have never heard of these but my favourite two flowers are peonies and roses so I must learn more about these. They do look beautiful, love the soft delicate pinks, lovely photos too. Thanks for introducing me to a new flower to love!
Rona says
April 14, 2011 at 5:44 pmYou’re very welcome Rosie…lisianthus are very readily available, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble hunting them down. Thank you for your lovely comments about my photos too.
Elizabeth Cairns says
April 14, 2011 at 8:38 amOoo Just lovely Rona, these remind me of our handfasting as I had cream ones in my bouquet, exquisite and delicate (rather unlike the bride in this case :))
Rona says
April 14, 2011 at 5:42 pmI’ve not heard of handfasting before…but have looked it up now on Google! You learn something every day…
Tatiana says
April 13, 2012 at 2:17 amVery nice short, yet complete description of this beautiful American native flowers.
I would only added the full Latin name (a bit complicated!) – Eustoma exaltatum subsp. russellianum , family Gentianaceae
(too often it is referred as its synonym Eustoma grandiflorum)
They are available in florist shops in Australia, where I am.
Rona says
April 23, 2012 at 10:19 amThank you Tatiana :-).
Kathryn Gill-Banham says
June 13, 2012 at 6:20 pmI just wondered if these are dangerous to cats any info useful
Thanks
Rona says
June 14, 2012 at 3:14 pmHi Kathryn. Thank you for comment. I’m really sorry but I don’t know… Might be best to do a general search in Google?
Tracy says
July 3, 2012 at 11:32 pmUnfortunately they are toxic to cats so I have to love these beautiful flowers at a distance as my cats love to play with flowers.
Annette says
October 19, 2012 at 7:54 pmMy favorite flower ,so delicate and long lasting.I put these on my husbands grave one of the only flowers that the rabbits don’t eat,would you know if deer eat them as my brother has the same trouble with his late wife’s grave .
shivjot sihota says
October 23, 2012 at 1:48 pmhow can i propagate lisianthus?
Rona says
October 23, 2012 at 9:27 pmI’m very sorry…but I don’t know as I’ve only dealt with the cut flower. Perhaps it may be a good idea to pop into your local garden centre who may be able to help?
Rona says
March 21, 2013 at 12:24 pmA friend said these were her favourite flower and the picture she had of them looked so pretty that I googled and found your site. In Canada lisianthus seeds are available but must be started indoors 12 – 16 weeks before the last frost. Oh well, there’s always next year.
Rona says
March 22, 2013 at 10:57 amHi Rona!
It’s not often I meet another Rona :-). Thank you very much for popping by Flowerona and I hope your lisianthus growing goes well next year!
Rona x
Annie says
January 22, 2013 at 10:47 pmJust been told that Lizzieanthum can be replanted. Cut flowers and when then die off, plant them and they grow. This has been done with flowers given to us in bunch. Annie
Jacky Thorne says
March 17, 2013 at 7:11 pmHi I’ve bought lisianthus seeds from a company called ‘Nicky’s seeds’ found them on the web. I’m a gardener last year I grew flowers for a friends wedding and loved it, so this year I’m growing more varieties hoping to sell them to friends and my gardening clients, could be quite a challenge in South Wales! Jacky
Rona says
March 19, 2013 at 8:47 amHope your lisianthus growing is very successful Jacky :-).
Jacky Thorne says
March 22, 2013 at 10:11 amThank you Rona loving your website really inspirational.
Jacky
Rona says
March 22, 2013 at 10:56 amThank you so much Jacky for your lovely comment :-).
Teri says
June 14, 2013 at 1:46 pmI grow Ivory, Blue, Pink, Yellow and Lime Lisianthus every year from seed. They need to be started VERY early indoors (December) and take a very long time to mature enough to be put outside. I am in zone 6A and even though they go out the end of may, I don’t see blooms for a month or more. They are sooo worth the wait.
Maureen says
September 5, 2013 at 3:59 pmI have just bought a beautiful Lisianthus, plant in a pot, should this be kept indoors or is it hardy?
Rona says
September 6, 2013 at 2:33 pmHi Maureen.
It really depends on where you live…I think it would be advisable to check with the place you bought the plant from as they’ll be able to give you the best advice.
Best wishes
Rona
norani ( Malaysia ) says
February 3, 2014 at 7:22 amHi,
Here in Malaysia eustoma is the flower wedding planner love very much. As we are in the tropic I am not sure where my supply came from but i truly love this flower – in this humid country roses is a gamble but eustoma stand tall and bloom so perfectly up until two weeks! Thank you for simple and good reading and of course nice picture of it.