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How to Grow Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple

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Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple

Eustoma grandiflorum 'Piccolo Piccolo Purple'

flower

Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple is a compact, dwarf ornamental flowering plant prized for its delicate, rose-like blooms in deep purple hues. This cultivar produces abundant double flowers on short, bushy plants, making it ideal for containers, borders, and cutting gardens. The flowers have a sophisticated appearance with multiple layers of petals and excellent vase life.

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Example Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple blooms

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; partial afternoon shade in very hot climates
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage. Reduce watering in cooler months. Sensitive to both drought and excessive moisture.
📏
Spacing: 8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-90 days from transplant to first flowers
🌱
Planting depth: Surface sow or barely cover seeds; needs light to germinate. Transplant seedlings at 2-3 true leaf stage.

Soil

Type: Well-draining fertile loamy soil with good structure
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Slow-release balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-10 as an annual; zones 8-10 as a tender perennial

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

1

Seed Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seeds germinate slowly (7-14 days) with bottom heat (70-75°F). First leaves are very small and delicate.

Use seed starting mix, maintain high humidity, provide bright indirect light. Do not bury seeds. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops true leaves and establishes root system. Growth is initially slow. Plant becomes bushy and compact.

Maintain consistent moisture and temperatures 65-72°F. Fertilize weekly with diluted liquid fertilizer. Provide bright light. Pinch tips at 3-4 leaf stage to encourage branching.

3

Bud Formation & Pre-flowering

2-3 weeks

Flower buds begin to form at stem tips. Plant appears fuller with visible bud clusters emerging.

Continue regular fertilizing with a balanced or slightly higher phosphorus formula. Maintain steady soil moisture. Support stems if needed as buds develop weight.

4

Flowering

6-12 weeks (extends with proper deadheading)

Double purple flowers open progressively, creating abundant colorful blooms. Flowers are long-lasting and continuously produced.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Maintain consistent watering and fertilizer every 10-14 days. Avoid overhead watering. Stake tall stems if necessary.

5

Decline & Seed Production (if not deadheaded)

Variable

Flowers fade and seed pods develop if flowers aren't removed. Plant energy shifts to seed production.

If seed collection is desired, stop deadheading and allow flowers to fully mature and dry. Otherwise, continue deadheading to extend bloom season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dusty miller Ornamental grasses Salvia Alyssum Calibrachoa Pentas Zinnias Celosia

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently dry soil Aggressive spreading plants that compete for water Very tall plants that shade lisianthus

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; strong water spray to dislodge

  • Increase humidity; spray with water mist; use miticide if severe; neem oil applications

  • Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulches

  • and (Pythium, Rhizoctonia spp.)

    Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; remove affected plants; use well-draining soil mix; improve air circulation

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; fungicidal sulfur spray; neem oil applications

Uses

🍳

Ornamental Garnish

Culinary

While not typically edible, lisianthus flowers are food-safe and can be used as sophisticated garnishes for special occasion dishes and cakes. The delicate purple petals add visual elegance without affecting flavor. [source]

🎨

Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

Lisianthus Piccolo Piccolo Purple is exceptional for fresh flower bouquets and floral design due to its long vase life, rose-like appearance, and prolific blooming. The compact size and deep purple color make it versatile for both formal and casual arrangements. [source]

🎨

Dried Flower Craft

Craft

Flowers can be dried for use in dried arrangements and crafts. Hang bunches upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to preserve their color and form. [source]

🏠

Container & Border Gardening

Household

The dwarf, compact growth habit of this cultivar makes it perfect for containers, window boxes, and small garden borders. Creates beautiful focal points and can be easily grown on patios and balconies. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Lisianthus flowers attract bees and other pollinators, providing valuable nectar and pollen sources during their extended bloom season. Contributes to supporting declining pollinator populations in gardens. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Harvest when outer petals are just beginning to open for maximum vase life (7-14 days). Use sharp, clean scissors and cut just above a leaf node or branch point. Strip lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth in water. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stem ends. Remove flowers from garden as they fade to encourage continuous blooming.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Lisianthus seeds are extremely tiny—over 500,000 seeds weigh only one gram—and require light to germinate, making them challenging for beginners but rewarding for patient gardeners.
  • 🌱 Despite their delicate rose-like appearance, lisianthus are actually members of the Gentianaceae family (gentian family) and are native to warm regions of South America, Mexico, and the southern United States.
  • 🌱 The 'Piccolo Piccolo Purple' cultivar was specifically bred for compact, bushy growth and abundant double flowers, making it superior to original tall varieties for home gardens and commercial floristry.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Damping Off Deadhead Full Sun pH Seed Starting Mix True Leaves
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