Statice (Limonium): The Everlasting Flower That Keeps Its Colour

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Statice is a flower you can put in a vase in summer and still enjoy in spring. Its bright papery clusters barely change when dried, so it is grown both for fresh bouquets and for dried arrangements, wreaths and home decor. Here are the main types, how to grow statice from seed and how to dry it properly.

What is statice

Statice, also called sea lavender or limonium (Limonium), belongs to the plumbago family. The bright “petals” florists love are actually dry, papery calyces. The true flowers are tiny, white or cream and fade quickly, while the coloured calyx remains even after drying. That is why statice does not wilt — it simply dries and keeps its colour.

Types of statice

• Annual statice (Limonium sinuatum) — the most popular: winged stems 40–60 cm tall with dense clusters in purple, blue, pink, yellow, white or apricot. Grown as an annual.
• Broad-leaved sea lavender (Limonium platyphyllum) — a perennial with airy clouds of tiny lilac flowers, similar to gypsophila.
• Tatarian statice (Goniolimon tataricum, formerly placed in Limonium) — stiff, branching white sprays, a favourite filler for dried bouquets.
• Hybrid limonium — cut-flower varieties with light branching sprays, available from greenhouses all year.

How to grow statice from seed

1. Seedlings: sow in March; there is no need to clean the seed from its calyx, just cover it lightly with soil. Seedlings appear in 1–2 weeks at 18–22 °C.
2. Planting out: after the last spring frost, 25–30 cm apart.
3. Position: full sun and light, well-drained soil. Statice tolerates drought but hates waterlogging.
4. Flowering: from July until the autumn frosts.

When to cut and how to dry it

Cut statice when most clusters have opened, in dry weather after the dew has gone. Tie the stems in small bunches and hang them upside down in a dry, airy, shaded place. In 2–3 weeks they will be fully dry. Direct sun bleaches the colour, so dry and store statice away from windows.

View full-size photoStatice flower clusters retain their bright colour even after drying.

Statice in bouquets and decor

In fresh bouquets statice adds bright colour and texture; it pairs well with roses, chrysanthemums, gypsophila and oxypetalum. You do not even need to throw a statice bouquet away: it will dry right in the vase. In dried arrangements, combine it with bunny tails, pampas grass, lavender, cotton and dried ruscus.

More bouquet flowers are in our florist’s glossary.

FAQ

Are statice and sea lavender the same?

Both are names for Limonium. “Statice” usually means Limonium sinuatum, the main species for cutting and drying.

How long does dried statice last?

Kept dry and out of the sun, a year or more, though the colour slowly fades.

Is statice annual or perennial?

Annual statice is grown as an annual; broad-leaved sea lavender is a perennial.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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