Common Statice vs. Dwarf Statice
Two species share the vulgar name sea lavender . Common statice ( genus Limonium sinuatum ) and its shorter sibling the dwarf statice ( Limonium minutum ) are both grow for their touchy flower clusters and attractive seed pod , which both make an excellent addition to flower arrangement .
These two plants portion out much in common when it comes to their growing requirements and care indigence , but common statice grows best in USDA zone 8 to 10 while nanus statice is more cold tolerant and will grow in USDA zona 5 to 9 .
Tip
Both variety of statice peak make a versatile improver to curve - bloom gardens , because the sweet bloom , the dried flower heads and the papery cum rosettes make an center - catch up with addition to bouquets .
About Statice Plants
vulgar statice and dwarf sea lavender both produce stalking of showy flowers that resemble lavender or heliotrope ( Heliotropiumspp . ) . The papery , funnel shape - shaped flowers fare in shades of lavender and purplish - blue and are tightly packed atop the leafless flower stalks .
Statice has foliage with a silver or bluish - dark-green gloss that resembles the foliage found on lavender ( Lavandulaspp . , zones 5 to 10 ) but it is not fragrant .
The main difference between the two species is their acme — common statice hit a ripe height of 12 to 18 inches with a 12 - inch spread , while dwarf statice tops out at 10 inches , also with a 12 - inch spread .
Starting Statice Seeds
Statice is a tender perennial but is often grown as an annual flower that must be started from seed each year . The cum require no pretreatment to successfully sprout , but they must be start at leastfive to six week before the last frostso that they have meter to mature a little turn before transplanting them into the landscape .
1 . filling seedling flats or peat pots with moist come - starting compost . Leave the top 1/2 - inch of the gage empty . 2 . disperse a few statice seeds onto the moist compost and gently weightlift them onto the surface . Sprinkle a very thin layer of compost over the seeds without covering them too heavy . 3 . Set the seedling flat or pots near a bright , gay window or under grow light . Cover them with plastic wrap . The seed need temperature around 70 ° farad to germinate , so use a generation mat to warm up the cum , if needed . 4 . becloud the compost whenever it feel nearly dry on the surface . Keep the territory moist but do not permit it get too soggy or the seeds could rot . The sprouting summons is fast so find out for sprouts in just 5 to 14 days .
After the seeds sprout , remove the propagation matte and plastic wrap . put the seedlings in a brilliant , sheltered spot where temperature remain around 60 ° farad for roughly one week . Bright , cool conditions encourage fast ascendent formation , which will make stronger , healthier statice plants .
Acclimate statice seedling to outdoor atmospheric condition for one week before transplanting them into the garden . According to Illinois University Extension , this fee-tail placing them outside during the tender part of the day for a match of hours . Gradually increase their outside clock time over a two - hebdomad menstruum until 10 to 12 hours , at which point , they are ready to transfer .
Growing Statice at Home
Statice will adapt to a wide image of challenging growing atmospheric condition , but they will bloom better if arise in the right spot . These fast growers originated in a Mediterranean climate , so they perform best under sunny conditions with good drain .
Plant marsh rosemary flowers in groups or bunches of three flora , which will give the planting a more naturalistic appearance .
Caring for Statice Flowers
Statice needs very little guardianship once established in a suitable growing site . Both statice species are more or less drought tolerant and they seldom grow serious problems unless uprise under moist , hot conditions or if they are overwatered .
