Limonium

( lim - MOH - nee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Statice or Sea Lavender, this genus of perennials and annuals needs full sun and moderate amounts of water. Basal leaves are large, green and leathery, and give rise to leafless, branched stems topped with flowers that range in color from blue to white. Great for dried flower arrangements and pressings. These plants can tolerate a good amount of heat and need good drainage, self-sowing where conditions are favorable. Use Limonium in mixed beds and borders, along pathways, as members of pollinator, native, or informal gardens, or as specimens. Take care when planting Limonium in the garden, as ingestion of plant parts can be toxic to pets.

Limonium Species and Varietals

The genus Limonium is a member of the plant family Plumbaginaceae, and includes around 600 distinct species. Although these plants are commonly called Sea Lavender, they are not true Lavenders like the plants in the genus Lavandula. Sea Lavender growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Limonium arboreum (Tree Limonium, Siempreviva)
This species is endemic to the Canary Islands, and grows in coastal habitats. These tough perennials grow from rhizome, and produce foliage that tops out around 40 inches tall. Flowers are white, surrounded by purple sepals.

Limonium californicum (Western Marsh Rosemary, California Sea Lavender)
This species is native to Claifornia, and forms a woody based plant with thick, leathery dark green leaves. Flowers are lavender to nearly white, and sepals are brownish white and ribbed.

Limonium carolinianum (Carolina Sealavender, Canker Root, Ink Root, Marsh Root, Lavender Thrift, American Thrift, Seaside Thrift)
This species is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Canada down through Mexico. These plants are slow-growing perennials that are typically found in salt marshes and other coastal habitats. Flowers are commonly harvested for use in floral arrangements.

Limonium gmelinii (Siberian Statice)
This perennial species grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24 and is native to eastern Europe and Siberia. In mid- to late summertime, this plant produces branching clusters of blue flowers. Garden varieties include 'Ste10', 'Dazzle Rocks', and 'Perestrojka'. These plants are very attractive to pollinators.

Limonium otolepis (Saltmarsh Sea Lavender, Lacy Sea Lavender, Asian Sea Lavender)
These plants are native to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and China, and are common in coastal areas. It has been introduced to California natural landscapes as a garden escapee, and has done the same in some areas of southeastern Australia. A great ornamental garden cultivar of this species is 'Lavender Lace'.

Limonium perezii (Perez's Sea Lavender, Seafoam Statice)
This perennial species grows best in zones 13, 15-17 and 20-24 and is native to the Canary Islands. Reaches 3 feet tall and almost as wide. Flowers are purple with white corollas, and bloom from spring through summer. Great as a beach plant, and has naturalized itself in many areas along the Southern California coastline.

Limonium platyphyllum (Limonium latifolium) (Broad-Leaved Statice, Florist's Sea Lavender)
This perennial plant grows well in zones 1-10, 14-24 and H1 and is native to central and southern Europe. Reaches 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Flowers are white and blue, though varieties are sold with blooms in white and pink.

Limonium sinuatum (Wavy Leaf Sea Lavender)
Annual species that grows well in all zones; native to the Mediterranean; widely grown for use as dried flowers. Reaches 1.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide, with flowers in blue, lavender, white, yellow, apricot, orange, peach, rose, light blue, deep blue, and purple. Can bloom in spring, summer, or fall depending on when seeds are sown.

Limonium tetragonum (Square-Stalked Sea Lavender)
Thiss pecies is native to Russia, South Korea, central and southern Japan, and New Caledonia. It grows in coastal marshlands and wetlands, and is harvested and eaten as a vegetable in its native range. There is an ornamental cultivar 'Confetti' that does well in gardens.

​Limonium vulgare (Common Sea Lavender)
This perennial plant grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24, and is native to the British Isles, coastal western Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Reaches 1-2 feet tall and just as wide, and has summertime flowers in lavender. Can be grown from seed or root cuttings.

Caring for Limonium

Limonium, or Sea Lavender, should be planted in a spot in the garden that receives full sun. Ideally, these plants should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day to perform well. Ensure that soil is well-draining, on the sandy side, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. These plants do not need to be mulched heavily; keeping soils dry can help to stave off root rot and other fungal issues that can develop. After planting, apply a layer of mulch around the planting area if desired. This will help to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water newly planted Limonium regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with a some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Limonium plants is simple: remove spent blooming spikes and any unsightly foliage.

Propagation

Limonium, or Sea Lavender, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. 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. Limonium grown from seed takes around 3 to 4 years to begin flowering. To propagate your Limonium plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Limonium 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) moss peat 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 heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're 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 continue 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. In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. 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 21-30 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 65 and 72 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.

Propagating Limonium 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 very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). 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 root section attached.
  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 in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Limonium plants are susceptible to developing problems with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
  • Aphids
  • Thrips
  • Caterpillars
  • Spider Mites
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Botrytis
  • Downy Mildew
  • Root Rot
For more information on these issues, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Limonium is a great choice for filling areas of the yard with color.
Limonium plants are fantastic for bringing pollinators into the garden.
These plants can grow in somewhat harsh conditions and still perform well.
This mixed bed features Limonium, Blue Fescue, Iris, Poppies, and Chamomile.
Limonium is prominently featured in this front yard's landscaping.
Limonium and Stipa create a naturalized garden look.
Limonium is a popular ornamental plant.
This water-wise coastal garden features Senecio, Limonium, Aloe, and various other drought-tolerant plants.
Limonium in a mixed bed next to a driveway.

Videos

Learn about these interesting landscape ornamentals.
Learn about Seafoam Statice.

Resources

Limonium Growing Guide
Sea Lavender Plant: Care and Growing Guide
How to Grow and Care for Limonium - Statice
Wikipedia: List of Limonium Species
Wikipedia: Limonium
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 415, Limonium
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