Lisianthus in Zone 3a & 3b
Eustoma grandiflorum
Yes, lisianthus grows in zones 3a and 3b. Start seeds indoors Feb 28–Mar 7 and plant out Jun 6–Jun 13.
When to plant lisianthus in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b 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 | Feb 28–Mar 7 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
| Estimated bloom | Nov 3–Nov 10 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of lisianthus in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumJun 6–Jun 13
- MarigoldJun 6–Jun 13
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Jun 6–Jun 13
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Jun 6–Jun 13
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Jun 6–Jun 13
- Campanula (Bellflower)Jun 6–Jun 13
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 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Lisianthus needs about 150 days from transplant to first bloom.
Lisianthus planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lisianthus in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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