Gardening Flowers Annuals How to Plant and Grow Annual Statice The colorful blooms can last for months in dried flower arrangements. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 3, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Annual statice, a vivid Mediterranean flower, is noted for its papery, funnel-shape calyces that bloom in summer. The flowers are actually small and white, growing inside colorful calyces (the outermost whorls of sepals) that remain long after the tiny flowers have faded away. The blooms rise above stiff stems with three wings, each featuring a flower cluster. These plants make an excellent choice for cut flowers and dried arrangements. Annual Statice, sea lavender Overview Genus Name Limonium sinuatum Common Name Annual Statice, sea lavender Plant Type Annual, Perennial Light Sun Height 12 to 36 inches Width 12 to 15 inches Flower Color Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Cut Flowers, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 8, 9 Propagation Seed Problem Solvers Drought Tolerant Where to Plant Annual Statice Grow annual statice in a sunny spot in well-draining soil. These dependable bloomers work beautifully in mixed borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, meadows, cutting gardens, and in containers. How and When to Plant Annual Statice Sow seeds in spring after all danger of frost has passed. You can sow the seed directly in the ground for a natural effect. Lightly rake the soil, scatter seeds, and lightly cover with soil. Keep the bed moist (not wet) until seeds germinate. To set out transplants after the last frost, dig a hole slightly larger than your seedling’s pot. Gently remove the plant and set it in the hole. Backfill with soil, tamping it down to remove air pockets and water deeply. Available in a veritable rainbow of colors, annual statice blooms from summer to fall in yellows, orange, blues, purples, pinks, and whites, all of which last for a long time. Even after the the delicate white blossoms inside fade, the showy calyces persist. Harvest when flowers are fully opened and color is most vivid. The blooms can also be dried easily: Pick bright flowers on sturdy stems, then hang upside down in loose bundles in a cool, dark place. Annual Statice Care Tips Light Plant annual statice in full sun for the brightest colors and sturdiest stems. They tolerate a bit of shade, but the plant will likely flop and need support. Soil and Water Annual statice performs best with little interference. It prefers well-drained, sandy loam. (It rots in overly wet soil.) Give young seedlings a good drink every few days. Once plants hit their stride, they'll fare well with a weekly watering. Annual statice is drought-tolerant once established. Temperature and Humidity Annual statice thrives in warm summers. While it prefers the dry air of its native range, statice tolerates humidity. The plant will succumb to a freeze so if you're growing it within its hardiness range, give it some protection when temperatures dip below 32℉. Fertilizer Annual statice isn't picky about nutrients, preferring to grow on the lean side, with little to no additional fertilizer. If you want to give it a boost, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer, following product label directions, when plants are about a month old. Pruning Harvest the flowers frequently for bouquets or to dry—this is a cut-and-come-again bloomer. If you prefer to enjoy the flowers in the garden, deadhead spent blooms for continued flowering. In areas where the plant is perennial, cut flower stalks down to basal foliage at the end of the growing season. Potting and Repotting Annual Statice Annual statice makes a good container plant. Select a pot with large drainage holes and use well-draining potting soil. Terra-cotta is an ideal pot material as it wicks away excess moisture to help avoid crown or root rot. Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, require more frequent watering and fertilization. If you're growing statice as an annual, simply remove and discard the plant after frost. If you live where statice is perennial, remember that the plant's roots may be more exposed to cold than when grown in the ground. Insulate the pot when colder weather arrives, or move it to a protected location. Repot the plant when it outgrows its container into a pot one size larger and filled with fresh potting mix. 14 Drought-Tolerant Perennials That Will Look Good, Even Through Dry Spells Pests and Problems Although annual statice may be attacked by various diseases, such as anthracnose, gray mold, and verticillium wilt, the easiest way to avoid problems is to water plants by drip irrigation or by watering at the base only. Remove any infected plants immediately. Statice is susceptible to powdery mildrew, crown rot, and root rot. Prevent these issues by planting annual statice in well-drained soils where they get good air circulation. How to Propagate Annual Statice Grow annual statice from seed. Start them indoors about two months before the average last frost date in your area. Place the seeds in pots of moistened seed-starting mix. These tiny seeds require a small amount of soil to cover them and fix them to the soil but don’t bury them as they need some light to germinate. Mist them lightly and keep them in a warm location (preferably about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or on a heat mat) with bright, indirect sunlight or under grow lights. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy, while the seeds germinate, which will likely take about one to two weeks. Once the seeds begin to sprout, move them to a warm, bright location to continue growing. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors once soil temperatures are reliably above 65 degrees. For a smoother transition, harden your seedlings off by placing them outside for a few hours a day (for 5 to 7 days) and increasing the outside exposure a little more each day. Types of Annual Statice 'Blue River' Statice Denny Schrock Limonium 'Blue River' bears violet-blue flowers on 2-foot-tall plants. 'Forever Gold' Statice Peter Krumhardt Limonium 'Forever Gold' bears rich yellow flowers on 2-foot-tall plants. 'Apricot Beauty' Statice Limonium sinuatum 'Apricot Beauty' offers unique apricot and coral blooms over 24- to 30-inch stems. Like most statice, this variety holds its color well when dried. 'Forever Silver' Statice Large, pure white flower clusters bloom on strong stems that rise to 3 feet tall when mature. Annual Statice Companion Plants Globe Amaranth Peter Krumhardt Annual globe amaranth is an all-time flower-gardening favorite. It seems to have it all: It thrives in hot conditions, blooms nearly nonstop, has pom-pom flowers great for cutting and drying, and attracts butterflies. Plant globe amaranth, then step back to watch it thrive and add continual beauty until frost. It's great in beds, borders, and containers. Plant established seedlings outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has passed. It tolerates a variety of soils and moisture levels. It isn't fussy about fertilizer, but be careful not to overfertilize. Lavender Peter Krumhardt Lavender fills the early-summer garden with sensory delights: beautiful purplish blooms and delightful fragrance. Every part of the plant is infused with aromatic oil, making this a choice herb to place along paths or near outdoor seating areas so you can savor the fragrance. Lavender varieties abound: The darker the flower, the more intense the aroma—and the flavor in cooking. Drought-, heat-, and wind-tolerant, lavender doesn't like poor drainage, waterlogged soil, or high humidity. Raised beds and gravel mulch enhance drainage and increase heat around roots. After flowering, shear plants to induce bushiness and subsequent bloom. Avoid cutting plants back to the ground. Dried blooms retain fragrance for a long time; crush dried flowers to release aromatic oils. Zones 5-9 Strawflower Peter Krumhardt Enjoy flowers into fall by growing this brightly colored charmer that dries right on the plant. Use it in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and even homemade potpourri. This easy-to-grow, sun-loving annual comes from Australia and is a great pick for hot, dry sites. Plant it outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Zones 8-11 Frequently Asked Questions Is statice a type of lavender? Although known as both sea lavender and marsh rosemary, statice is related to neither plant. It is in the plumbago family, in the genus Limonium, which includes about 600 flowering species. Is statice an annual or a perennial? Statice, a native of the warm, rocky regions of the Mediterranean, is perennial in the warmest parts of the United States, zones 8 to 11, but grown as an annual there and in most of the country. It is prized by flower farmers as a prolific bloomer and by florists as a long-lived and colorful filler flower. Are statice flowers safe for pets? Statice is a non-toxic plant that is safe for humans and pets. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Statice. University of California Pest Management Program.