Lexi Webster
Lisianthus is a flower that is in high demand in Australia, known for its longevity in a vase. They are, however, difficult to grow from seeds, and many Australians have expressed the challenges they face in obtaining seeds and seedlings. Lisianthus is a heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant, but it does not fare well in high humidity. The plant grows well in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter and regular feeding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Seedling Pot | Deep |
| Watering | Bottom or mist watering |
| Germination Temperature | 20-22 degrees |
| Growth Temperature | 15-20 degrees |
| Soil Type | Fertile, well-draining, neutral or slightly acidic |
| Soil pH | 6.5-7.0 |
| Soil Moisture | Moist but not wet |
| Sunlight | Full sun position, can tolerate some shade |
| Seedling Spacing | 10-20 cm apart |
| Transplant Spacing | 4-6 inches apart |
| Transplant Timing | Two to four weeks before the last spring frost |
| Transplant Depth | Same depth as the seedling pot |
| Fertilizer | Commercial flowering plant fertilizer with more potassium than nitrogen |
| Flowering Time | Winter, Spring/Summer, Late Summer to Autumn |
| Ease of Growth | Difficult |
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Choosing a pot and sowing seeds
Lisianthus is a challenging flower to grow from seeds, even for experts. It can take six months or more for the seeds to develop into plants that can be moved outdoors. If you're up for the challenge, here are some tips for choosing a pot and sowing seeds:
When choosing a pot to sow Lisianthus seeds, opt for a deep seedling pot. This will make transplanting easier and prevent the seedlings from becoming root-bound. Use a moist, well-draining potting medium with a neutral pH of around 6.5 to 7.0. You can create this mix by combining vermiculite and peat. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite to prevent algae growth and dislodging. Lisianthus seeds need light to germinate, so avoid covering them with soil. Instead, place the container in a bright, warm spot, or use grow lights placed a couple of inches above the container. Maintain a temperature of 20-22°C during the germination period, which typically lasts 10-15 days. Keep the soil moist during this time to allow the pelleted seed coating to dissolve. Bottom watering or mist watering is recommended to avoid dislodging the tiny seeds.
Once the seeds have germinated, grow lights are no longer necessary. However, continue to provide bright, sunny conditions and maintain a temperature of 15-20°C. Be careful not to let the temperature exceed 29°C, as this will cause 'rosetting', where the plant produces only basal leaves and fails to lengthen. Before planting the seedlings outdoors, harden them off slowly by gradually increasing their exposure to outdoor conditions over a week. This will prevent transplant shock. When planting, space the seedlings 10-20cm apart to prevent disease.
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Germination
Growing lisianthus from seeds can be a tricky endeavour, even for experts. When choosing a pot to sow the lisianthus seeds, use a deep seedling pot. This will enable better transplanting and prevent seedlings from becoming root-bound. When watering the seeds, bottom watering or mist watering is recommended to avoid dislodging the tiny seeds too far down in the soil or washing them away. Keep the soil moist during the germination period (the first 10-15 days, with a temperature of 20-22 degrees). Keeping the soil moist will enable the pelleted seed coating to dissolve. Once the seeds have germinated, they should be grown at 15-20 degrees. Make sure your greenhouse is well ventilated by opening the door or window to prevent algal growth.
Lisianthus seeds need light for germination. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite to prevent algae growth and seeds dislodging. The seeds should be germinated indoors with a controlled temperature and light or in a heated greenhouse outdoors. Use grow lights only a couple of inches above the container to provide 16 hours of light per day until the seedlings emerge, and keep the temperature between 21-24 degrees Celsius. After the seedlings emerge, you can remove the plastic but not the grow lights and maintain a temperature above 15 degrees Celsius. Before planting out the seedlings, they should be hardened off by letting them spend one hour a day outside the greenhouse environment, working up to five hours over a week. This will prevent any transplant shock.
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Transplanting
When transplanting lisianthus, it is important to handle the seedlings gently and avoid disturbing the roots. Plant the roots at the same depth as they were in the seedling pot. Space the seedlings 10-20cm apart, as planting them too close together may cause disease. Lisianthus should be transplanted into fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of around 6.5. They prefer a full sun position but can tolerate some shade.
It is recommended to transplant lisianthus two to four weeks before the last spring frost, as they need a period of cool soil to establish their roots. Transplanting too late in the spring may expose young plants to high temperatures, which can be detrimental to their growth. Lisianthus does not tolerate frost, so it is important to ensure that any danger of frost has passed before transplanting.
When watering transplanted lisianthus, it is important to water deeply at the base of the plant and avoid overwatering. Lisianthus is a heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant, but it does not tolerate high humidity. It is beneficial to use a soaker hose, an irrigation tool that slowly and evenly delivers water to the roots, keeping the moisture off the leaves.
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Temperature control
Germination
Keep the temperature between 20-22°C during the first 10-15 days of the germination period. A heat mat can be useful for temperature control during this stage. The seeds need light for germination, so consider using grow lights a couple of inches above the container.
After Germination
Once the seeds have germinated, the temperature should be maintained at 15-20°C. Any spikes in heat over 29°C will cause 'rosetting', where the plant produces only basal leaves and fails to lengthen. Make sure your greenhouse is well-ventilated to prevent algal growth and maintain the desired temperature.
Seedlings
Before planting the seedlings outdoors, harden them off slowly by gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outside the controlled environment. Start with one hour a day and work up to five hours over a week. This will prevent transplant shock.
Outdoor Growth
Lisianthus is a heat-loving plant, but it is important to note that extreme heat can be detrimental. In 2019, a week of temperatures over 45°C nearly wiped out a farmer's crop in north-west Victoria. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor temperatures and provide some shade or protection if extreme heat is expected.
Lisianthus is prone to developing diseases when grown in humid regions, so ensure good air circulation and avoid excessive moisture on the leaves.
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Watering
Lisianthus is a drought-tolerant flower that can survive in harsh environments. However, it is prone to developing diseases in humid regions. While growing Lisianthus, it is important to keep the soil moist but not wet. The soil should be watered as soon as it feels dry, keeping the moisture off the leaves.
When watering the seeds, bottom watering or mist watering is recommended to avoid dislodging the tiny seeds too far down in the soil or washing them away. Keep the soil moist during the germination period (the first 10-15 days, with a temperature of 20-22 degrees). Keeping the soil moist will enable the pelleted seed coating to dissolve. Once the seeds have germinated, they should be grown at 15-20 degrees. Make sure your greenhouse is well ventilated to prevent algal growth.
After germination, it is important to not overwater the plant. Water deeply at the base of the plant. Lisianthus does not need watering every day, but it is important to water them regularly. A soaker hose is a useful addition to any Lisianthus garden bed. It is an irrigation tool with tiny holes that delivers water slowly and evenly to plant roots.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to grow Lisianthus from seedlings or small plants that already have buds. Growing them from seeds can be difficult even for experts.
Lisianthus likes a full sun position and can tolerate some shade. They grow best in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of around 6.5. The soil should be kept moist but not wet.
Lisianthus can be slow-growing and may take six months or more to reach the point of being ready to plant outside.
Yes, Lisianthus does not like frost and is sensitive to high temperatures. They are also prone to developing diseases when grown in humid regions.
