How to grow statice: a beautiful cut flower
Advice on growing statice as a border plant and a cut flower.
Statice (Limonium) is grown for its colourful papery-petalled blooms that make excellent cut flowers, both fresh and dried. Because they're easy to dry, the flowers are often referred to as ‘everlasting’ flowers, along with others such as strawflower that are used in dried arrangements and crafts, and which last for years. While there are both annual and perennial types of limonium, it's the annual Limonium sinuatum that is mostly grown as a cut flower and is easy to raise from seed. Limonium sinuatum flowers come in a range of bright colours including blue, pink, red and purple, along with softer shades such as apricot and white. They are abundantly borne through summer on branched flower stems that reach around 80cm tall.
Annual statice grows quickly and easily from spring-sown seed to bloom in summer, thriving in sun and well-drained soil. Statice plants last for one growing season only.
How to grow statice
Sow statice seed under cover and transplant seedlings when they are big enough to handle. Harden them off before planting out after the last frosts. Keep watered until established then harvest blooms just before they fully open. At the end of the season, pull up and compost the plants.
Where to grow statice
Site statice in full sun and reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Grow in borders, in groups or patches to fill bare spaces between long-lived shrubs and perennials. You can plant statice among other sun-loving hardy annuals for a colourful summer display, or in a cutting garden specifically for harvesting.
How to plant statice
You can buy statice as seed or young plants. If buying seed, sow under cover, ideally in a heated propagator set to between 22ºC and 24ºC. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Continue growing on, transplanting into larger pots if necessary, and then harden them off by gradually adjusting them to outside conditions, before planting them out after the last frosts.
If planting young plants then harden off as described above. Space plants 20-30cm apart.
How to care for statice
Water in well and then keep watered for several weeks until established. Thereafter, water only occasionally during long dry spells, to avoid overwatering. In exposed sites, add supports such as twiggy hazel stems (pea sticks) or canes and string.
How to propagate statice
Save statice seed by allowing flowers to completely dry on the plant, then snip them off. Rub the flowerheads to separate the seeds and store them in a cool, dark, dry place over winter.
How to use statice as a cut flower
For cut flowers, harvest statice just before the blooms are fully open or when they are just open. Cut the stems near the ground and strip off the lower leaves.
Either place statice in vases of water to use as a fresh cut flower or dry to use as a dried cut flower. To dry, tie several stems together to form small bunches then hang upside down in a cool airy place out of direct sunlight, until they have a papery, dry texture.
Pests and diseases
Statice may suffer from powdery mildew disease if long dry spells occur. Avoid by giving plants an occasional but thorough watering in these conditions.
Advice on buying statice
- The term 'statice' usually refers to annual types, while 'sea lavender' refers to perennials. But not always. If you're looking for annuals that are easy to grow from seed, check the details on the packet thoroughly before buying
- You can buy statice seed as mixed or individual colours
Where to buy statice
Frequently asked questions
Is statice an annual or a perennial?
While the name statice is used to describe both annual and perennial species of the genus Limonium, it's the annual Limonium sinuatum that is easily grown from seed to use as a cut flower. This plant group also includes perennial species for garden borders as well as the UK native sea lavender (Limonium latifolium), which grows wild on salt marshes and should be left undisturbed for everyone to enjoy.
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