Lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) is a highly sought-after flower, prized for its delicate, layered petals and exceptional vase life. These tender perennials, typically grown as annuals, offer a wide palette of colors from white and soft pinks to deep purples and greens. Successfully growing this bloom starts with sourcing the plant material, deciding between seeds, young plugs, or mature transplants from local retailers or online vendors.
Finding Lisianthus at Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Purchasing Lisianthus locally allows for immediate inspection of the plant’s health and vigor. Gardeners can visually check for pests, diseases, or signs of stress, ensuring they acquire a strong specimen ready for planting. A benefit is the ability to ask local staff for tailored advice on planting times and soil amendments for a specific geographic area.
Selection at local nurseries is often limited to common colors and popular cultivars. Big-box garden centers typically carry a smaller inventory compared to independent specialty nurseries, which are more likely to stock unique varieties. Availability is highly seasonal, with pre-grown transplants generally appearing in late spring or early summer, timed for planting after the last frost. These mature plants offer instant garden impact but come at a higher price point than starting with plugs or seeds.
Utilizing Online and Mail-Order Suppliers
Online retailers and specialty seed houses are the best resource for gardeners seeking a broader range of Lisianthus cultivars. These vendors provide access to specific series, such as the tall ‘Rosanne’ or the early-blooming ‘Echo’ varieties, which local nurseries may not stock. This is also the primary source for bulk purchases, especially for the small seedlings known as plugs.
When ordering live plants like plugs through the mail, consider the logistics and handling of the shipment. Shipping costs for live plant material can be substantial, and the plants require immediate attention upon arrival to mitigate transplant shock. Specialty plugs and seeds often require ordering months in advance, sometimes as early as late fall or winter, to secure desirable varieties for spring planting. Reputable vendors ship plugs according to the recipient’s USDA hardiness zone to ensure optimal planting timing.
Choosing the Right Form: Seeds, Plugs, or Transplants
The decision to purchase Lisianthus as seeds, plugs, or mature transplants depends on the gardener’s time commitment, budget, and experience level. Starting from seed is the most economical option, but it presents the greatest challenge because Eustoma seeds are tiny and have a very long germination period. Seeds must be started indoors four to six months before the last expected frost to allow the plant to reach maturity and flower.
Successful seed germination requires surface sowing, as the minute seeds need light to sprout, and maintaining a consistent temperature, ideally around 68–72°F. Seedlings grow slowly during the first few weeks, demanding constant attention to light, humidity, and temperature to prevent issues like “damping off” disease. Because of this extended, high-maintenance indoor period, many gardeners opt for plugs instead.
Plugs are small, pre-germinated seedlings typically sold in trays, offering a balance between cost and convenience. They skip the most difficult phase of seed starting, saving the gardener several months of indoor cultivation effort. Upon arrival, plugs are fragile plants that require immediate potting into larger containers or “bumping up” before being hardened off and planted outdoors. This step encourages robust root growth before the final planting.
Mature transplants, the largest and most developed form, are usually found at local garden centers in the spring. They provide instant gratification and are the simplest option, as they are ready to be planted directly into the ground. While the most expensive per plant, this method eliminates the technical challenges of seed starting and the intermediate potting stage required for plugs. Gardeners should still acclimate these plants to specific sun and wind conditions before planting to ensure a smooth transition.