Eustoma

( YOO - sto - mah )

At-A-Glance Information

Common names for this genus include Lisianthus, Tulip Genetian, Prairie Gentian and Texas Bluebell. These flowering perennials, biennials, and annuals need full sun or light shade and regular water. They are native to the warm regions of the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and norhtern South America, and are great additions to cut flower gardens. Plants form a clump of grey-green foliage that sprouts stems topped with flowers that come in purple, blue or white. Bloom begins in summertime and can last the whole season if deadheaded. Use these flowering plants to add color to borders and flower beds, and use cut flowers in fresh arrangements.

Eustoma Species and Varietals

The genus Eustoma includes just two or three species, and is a member of the plant family Gentianaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek eu- (meaning good or well) and -stoma (meaning mouth). Eustoma grows best in zones 1-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. For information on varietals, see the descriptions below.

Eustoma exaltatum (Seaside Gentian)
This species forms an erect herbaceous plant with large, purple bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring and summertime. It is found in the southern United States, the West Indies, Mexico, and Belize. It prefers to grow in wet places, like marshes, streambeds, and coastlines. These plants are moderately tolerant of salt water, and highly tolerant of salt winds, making them idea candidates for planting in seaside gardens.
Eustoma russellianum (Showy Prairie Gentian, Prairie Gentian, Texas Bluebells, Texas Bluebell, Lisianthus)
These flowering plants are native primarily to the Great Plains region in the United States, and their native range extends down into Mexico. They prefer moist, sandy soils, and commonly grow alongside streams, creeks, moist meadows, and near springs. 
'Arena Apricot'
'Arena Baby Pink'
'Arena Blue Picotee'
'Arena Gold'
'Celeb Honey Pink'
'Chateau'
'Corelli Delft Blue'
'Corelli Light Pink'
'Corelli Rose'
'Echo Lavender'
'Falda Apricot'
'Forever Blue'
'Forever White'
'Little Summer Gold'
'Lizzy'
Dwarf; to 8 inches tall. 
'Mariachi Misty Blue'
'Mariachi White'
'Mermaid'
8-inch tall plant, dwarf strain.
'Rosanne Black Pearl'
'Rosanne Green'
'Rosanne Clear Green'
'Rosanne Terracotta'
'Voyage First Love'
'Voyage Green'
'Voyage Pink'
'Voyage White Improved'
'Voyage Yellow'

Caring for Eustoma

These gorgeous bloomers can be grown from seed or purchased as starts or specimens from reputable nurseries. Although they can be somewhat finicky to cultivate, the end result is beautiful, arrangement-worthy flowers. Lisianthus plants prefer to be grown in full sun. Ideally, this means they should receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for the best flowers and foliage. They prefer to be grown in soil that is rich in organic matter as well as well-draining. They like a soil that has pH of between 6.5 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing.  Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after planting, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature.  Water new plantings regularly as they develop strong root systems. At maturity, these flowers like a moist soil that is allowed to dry out in between waterings. About an inch of water per week is recommended.

Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. Continue with compost applications (1 inch around the base of plants) once a month after flowering begins to best support plants while they are in their active growing and blooming stages. Pruning these plants is relatively straightforward. Remove flowering heads after petals have faded (unless, of course, you will be collecting seeds for propagation). After the initial bloom period has passed, which typically happens in late summer, cut stems back to their base. This will encourage a flush of new growth as well as a rebloom in fall. In cool-weather areas, Lisanthus is treated as an annual plant. In zones where it is considered a perennial, the entire plant can be sheared or cut back in early springtime each year before new growth begins.

Propagation

Eustoma can be propagated either by using cuttings, from division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. Lisianthus plants grown from seed will take between 5 and 6 months to reach their mature flowering stage. To propagate your Lisianthus, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Eustoma by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new flower.

Propagating Eustoma by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 10-20 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
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Propagating Eustoma by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early springtime (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth). To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick section.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Lisianthus seed pods form after flowers have faded.
Lisianthus seeds are light in color and typically round.

Problems and Pests

Eustoma, or Lisianthus, plants can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
  • Root Rot
  • Botyrtis
  • Leaf Spot
  • Downy Mildew
  • Aphids
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Whiteflies
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Lisianthus seedlings.
Here, Lisianthus is potted with ornamental Cabbage.
Eustoma is commonly grown in cut flower gardens.
This informal garden bed features low-growing Juniper and various cultivars of Lisianthus.
Lisianthus in an arrangement with Lemon foliage, Ivy, and Hypericum.
Lisianthus is paired with Gold Medallion in this container.

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
How to grow these flowers from seed.
Growing Lisianthus for cut flowers.
All about arranging Lisianthus cut flowers.

Resources

Wikipedia: Eustoma
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 317, Eustoma grandiflorum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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