Gro 'n Sell
Limonium from Tissue Culture- SENSY
Limonium sinensis (sometimes called "Sea Lavender") has a finer texture than L. sinuatum ("statice") but is more substantial that the airy L. x altaica and L. latifolium types. It is a commercially important filler flower grown worldwide. We now have access to the same varieties being grown by commercial scale farms in much of the world. It is very delicate looking but is very cold and heat tolerant. I visited a farm operated by breeder Danziger in the summer of 2023 in the deserts of southern Israel and the L. sinensis were blooming their heads off. They keep producing as long as you keep cutting and should be true perennials for many in the US. Unlike "Statice" types these should produce all season long.
Culture- Space 12 to 18" apart. When the first stems are emerging from the crown, pinch them out to encourage the production of even more stems. They should bloom well until frost. Grow in well-drained to sandy soils.
All Limonium need a couple of weeks of cold weather (35-45F) to initiate flower buds. Your plugs will have already been chilled before shipping and there is no harm in giving them a bit more cold at the time of transplant. Under these conditions, they grow roots and start forming their crown of leaves that will support heavy blooming later on. Remove any flowers at this early stage to direct energy into the roots until you have a large green base. They will keep producing flowers once they start.
About Tray Sizes
210 and 125 cell trays are full-sized trays, and three of these will fit in a shipping box.
50 cell trays are half-sized trays (unless otherwise noted) and two of these are the equivelent of one full sized tray. Six of these will fit in a shipping box.
18 and 32 cell trays are full sized trays specifically for our vernalized perennials. These have their own set of shipping rules (find details HERE) and cannot be combined with items grown in 210, 125, or 50 cell trays.
Growing Guides
Click here to access all of our comprehensive growing guides.
| Common Name | Limonium, Statice |
| Genus | Limonium |
| Species | l. Altaica, l. Latifolium, l. Sinuatum |
| Family | Plumbaginaceae |
| Life Cycle | Perennial in mild zones, can be grown as an annual. |
| Format | Plugs |
| Plug Care | Bump up into larger plugs or harden off and plant out shortly after receiving plugs. Do not allow plugs to sit in trays and become rootbound or they will remain stunted and not reach their full potential after transplanting. Tissue culture types that require a cold period to initiate buds will have already received a chill, but these plugs will benefit from cool temperatures after transplant to properly develop a healthy root system and rosette of leaves prior to flowering. The Safora series does not require a chilling period. |
| Netting / Staking | One layer of netting is recommended, approximately 40cm or 16 inches above the bed. |
| Temperature Range | Many tissue culture types are perennials, but it is unknown exactly how cold tolerant they are as they were bred in Israel and haven't been extensively trialed in colder climates. We would expect them to survive winter down to zone 5b with protection. Seed grown strains should be treated as annuals. Ideal growing temperatures are 72-80F (22-27C) during the day and 54-60F (12-16C) at night. |
| Spacing | Plant approximately 5-6 plants per square meter. This is achieved by planting two lines per bed with 13-16 inch spacing. |
| Soil Preference | Soil must be fertile and more importantly well drained. Altaica types enjoy a high level of irrigation as long as the soil is free-draining. The irrigation helps to maintain mild soil temperatures and contributes to yield and stem quality. Limonium don't like hot soil, so if you plant into landscape fabric choose a white fabric instead of black. Soil should be amended with compost and granular fertilizer prior to planting, or regular fertigation via the drip irrigation system. During the vegetative stage, Limonium benefits from more nitrogen, and during the flowering period it benefits from more potassium. See the attached culture sheet from Danziger for more detailed information. |
| Day Length | facultative long-day plant |
| Pinching | Pinching early flower stems is recommended while the plants are getting established early in the season. This allows the plants to divert its energy into the production of roots and leaves. Once the rosette of leaves is approximately 15-16 inches in circumference, flowering stems can be allowed to develop normally. |
| When to Plant | Plant early in the spring, a couple weeks before last frost so plants can receive a chill period prior to the onset of warm spring temperatures. They can tolerate cold temperatures but should be protected from frost and freezing using frost cloth. |
| Harvesting | According to Danziger it can take 3-4 months until the first stems are ready for harvesting but we have heard from growers in the US that plants pump out the stems much earlier that that. Flowers do not tend to open post-harvest, so wait until 70-80% of the inflorescences on a stem have opened before cutting. |
| Post Harvest Care | Cut stems should be immediately plunged into cool water. Use a floral holding solution/preservative to extend vase life. Flowers can be kept in the cooler for a short period if they are not needed right away. For drying, hang bunches upside down in a warm, dry area. |
| Diseases / Insects | Insect pests include aphids, thrips, caterpillars and spider mites. Diseases include powdery mildew, downy mildew, and Botrytis especially in areas with high humidity and low air circulation, and during long periods of wet foliage. Water using drip irrigation and avoid wetting the leaves close to sundown. |
| Bailey's Notes | Many statice/Limonium varieties flower in flushes. If stems begin to dwindle mid-season, remove any dead or yellowing foliage to allow light penetration into the rosette of leaves and to provide room for new foliage growth. The application of gibberellic acid is said to help promote another flush - see Danziger cultural guide linked below for more details. Another method to induce an additional flush of flowers from l. Altaica types is a cut-back, even below ground level, as altaica has potential shoots on the roots as well. |
| Resources |