Growing Statice - History Of The Statice Flower And Statice Plant Care

Purple Statice Plant
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(Image credit: liuyushan)

Statice flowers are long-lasting annuals with sturdy stems and compact, colorful blooms that are deer resistant. This plant complements many full sun flower beds and gardens. History of the statice flower shows it was once prized as a late-summer addition to bouquets, but new hybridized versions make it available now for longer use. The use of statice as cut flowers is highly desirable.

Using Statice as Cut Flowers

Also called sea lavender (Limonium sinuatum), using statice in cut flower arrangements seems to signify fond memories in many people. Statice cut flowers are long lasting in the vase, whether fresh or dried. When growing statice as cut flowers for fresh bouquets, both foliage and protrusions should be stripped from lower stems to provide more longevity. They also look attractive in dried arrangements, and cut plants can be hung upside down in bunches and placed in a dark location with cool temperatures for drying.

Growing Statice Plants

If you are a fan of indoor cut flowers and dried arrangements, you may find that growing statice in outdoor beds provides you with an ample supply of this popular filler plant. Start seeds of statice flowers indoors, eight to ten weeks before the last frost date. Statice plant care may involve a hardening off period in cold temperatures when plants are three to eight weeks old, providing a more productive plant with earlier blooms. Blooms develop in mid to late summer. The history of the statice flower indicates the bluish purple color has long been the most popular when using statice as cut flowers. However, cultivars of statice are now found in whites, yellows, pinks, violet, and orange colors.

Statice Plant Care

Statice plant care is minimal once the plant is established. In fact, once planted outside, the plant needs only occasional watering and pinching back as needed. Consider growing statice to brighten your garden and your indoor displays. This popular and low maintenance beauty can make your indoor flowers stand out and look like a professional florist has created your cut flower arrangements.

Becca Badgett
Writer

Becca Badgett was a regular contributor to Gardening Know How for ten years. Co-author of the book How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden, Becca specializes in succulent and cactus gardening.