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Sea Lavender

Limonium sinuatum (lih-MOH-nee-um sin-yoo-AH-tum)

Family: Plumbaginaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Statice is a short lived, summer flowering, herbaceous perennial in the leadwort family native to northern Africa, western Asia, and Europe. The flowers, that come in papery, funnel-shaped blossoms of various colors, are often used in dried arrangements. All parts of the plant are downy.The genus name comes from the Greek word for a meadow in reference to the common habitat in salt meadows. The species name means with a wavy margin. Statice does best in light, dry to medium moisture, well-drained, sandy loams in full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Do not over-water to prevent root and crown rot. Statice are not particularly hardy, but can be grown as an annual in zones higher than 8 or as a biennial. Plants will sometimes struggle in high heat or humidity. Plants only produce one long bloom, so deadheading is not necessary. Use in a rock garden, in the border, in a cutting garden or in containers. The plant can spread by means of rhizomes. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Crown rot and root rot can be problems, but well-drained soils and good air circulation can minimize problems. More information on Limonium .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 50 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Annual; Biennial; Perennial
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Undulate
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are 4 to 6 inches long, hairy, pinnate, lobed and lance-shaped.
Flower color
Blue; Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
Short, papery clusters of flowers with white corollas and calyces in colors ranging from pink, purple, and yellow. Panicles of clustered spikelets atop leafless 18 inch stems. Calyces remain long after the corollas have disappeared.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem detail
Stems are erect, green and 3-winged.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean to western Sahara
Distribution
Introduced to South Africa, Germany, and the west coast of the United States.
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#violet #rose #drought tolerant #fall interest #summer flowers #full sun tolerant #white flowers #annual #herbaceous perennial #colorful flowers #long-lasting flowers #cutting garden #rhizomatous #cut flower
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Drought; Salt
Propagation
Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.