Lisianthus in Zone 11a & 11b
Eustoma grandiflorum
Yes, lisianthus grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Oct 2–Oct 9 and plant out Jan 8–Jan 15.
When to plant lisianthus in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Oct 2–Oct 9 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 7–Jun 14 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of lisianthus in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumJan 8–Jan 15
- MarigoldJan 8–Jan 15
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Campanula (Bellflower)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Castor BeanJan 8–Jan 15
Lisianthus produces some of the most sought-after cut flowers in the trade, rose-like blooms with a vase life that outlasts most annuals by a wide margin. It also has a reputation, one the seed source itself doesn't try to soften, as difficult to grow from seed.
How lisianthus fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Lisianthus planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | Oct 24–Oct 31 |
| 3a & 3b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Nov 3–Nov 10 |
| 4a & 4b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | Oct 19–Oct 26 |
| 5a & 5b | Feb 8–Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | Oct 14–Oct 21 |
| 6a & 6b | Jan 24–Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | Sep 29–Oct 6 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 9–Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Sep 14–Sep 21 |
| 8a & 8b | Dec 24–Dec 31 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Aug 29–Sep 5 |
| 9a & 9b | Nov 16–Nov 23 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Jul 22–Jul 29 |
| 10a & 10b | Oct 31–Nov 7 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Oct 2–Oct 9 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Jun 7–Jun 14 |
Bloom dates are about 150 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for lisianthus.
Where to buy lisianthus seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries lisianthus seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lisianthus" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lisianthus in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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