Statice
Limonium sinuatum
Statice is a sun-loving plant grown for its papery, long-lasting flower clusters in vivid colors. Exceptionally good for drying, it's a favorite for everlasting bouquets and seaside gardens.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low; drought and salt tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Statice (Limonium sinuatum), also called sea lavender, is grown for its clusters of crisp, papery flowers that hold their color for months, whether fresh or dried. The true flowers are tiny and white, surrounded by a colorful papery calyx in blue, purple, pink, yellow, white or apricot.
Naturally a plant of coastal and saline habitats, statice is tough, drought- and salt-tolerant, and easy in hot, sunny gardens. It is often grown as an annual, though it's a tender perennial in mild climates.
How to identify it
Stiff, winged stems topped with papery flower clusters are distinctive.
- Flowers: small, papery (everlasting) blooms in dense, branched, flat-topped clusters; bright blue, purple, pink, yellow, white
- Leaves: lobed, somewhat leathery, mostly in a basal rosette
- Stems: stiff, upright, conspicuously winged or angled, 1-2.5 ft tall
- Texture: dry and crisp to the touch even when fresh
Care & growing
Statice thrives on heat, sun and lean, well-drained soil.
- Light: full sun
- Water: low; very drought tolerant once established and dislikes soggy soil
- Soil: light, sandy, well-drained soil; tolerates salt and poor fertility
- Temperature: heat-loving; grown as an annual in cold climates, perennial in zones 8-10
- Feeding: minimal
- Maintenance: harvest stems for drying when flowers are fully open
- Propagation: from seed sown in spring
Habitat & origin
Limonium sinuatum is native to the Mediterranean region, growing in coastal areas, salt marshes and dry, sandy or saline soils.
Its salt and drought tolerance make it a natural for seaside and xeriscape gardens, and it is cultivated worldwide for the dried- and cut-flower trade.
Uses & benefits
Statice is grown primarily for cut and dried flowers.
- Everlasting flowers: the papery blooms dry superbly, keeping their color for a long time in wreaths and arrangements
- Cut flowers: a colorful, long-lasting filler in fresh bouquets
- Garden: excellent for hot, dry, coastal and seaside plantings
- Ecological: flowers attract bees and butterflies
Frequently asked questions
How do I dry statice?
Cut the stems when the flowers are fully open and colorful, bundle them, and hang upside down in a dry, airy place out of direct sun. They keep their color for months.
Is statice an annual or perennial?
Limonium sinuatum is a tender perennial usually grown as an annual in cold climates. In mild, frost-free regions it can persist for years.
Can statice handle coastal conditions?
Yes, very well. It's naturally a seaside plant, tolerant of salt, wind and sandy soil, which makes it ideal for coastal gardens.
Does statice need much water?
No. It's drought tolerant once established and prefers dry, well-drained soil. Overwatering can rot it.
Statice guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Statice.
