Pastel Shades™
Limonium sinuatum
Photo: Daniel Ventura · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Very similar to Johnny's Pastel Mix but does not contain the same ratio of apricot and pink hues represented in that mix. This mix contains white and multiple shades of lavender, purple, pink, and rose. Productive plants produce 1½-3" flower clusters on strong stems in the field and greenhouse. Statice is long-lasting for both fresh and dried bouquets. One of the best choices for a dried floral as it holds its color well and is easy to dry. Also known as wavyleaf sea lavender.
Harvest
110-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
8–10
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Pastel Shades™ in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Pastel Shades™ · Zones 8–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
Succession Planting
Statice is a one-time cut-flower crop — each plant blooms once and doesn't rebound the way a zinnia or basil would. Sow a second indoor tray 3 to 4 weeks after your first to stretch your harvest window, but don't bother with more than two rounds. Once daytime temps are reliably above 85°F, germination gets patchy and young transplants struggle to establish before the heat peaks.
Complete Growing Guide
Very similar to Johnny's Pastel Mix but does not contain the same ratio of apricot and pink hues represented in that mix. This mix contains white and multiple shades of lavender, purple, pink, and rose. Productive plants produce 1½-3" flower clusters on strong stems in the field and greenhouse. Statice is long-lasting for both fresh and dried bouquets. One of the best choices for a dried floral as it holds its color well and is easy to dry. Also known as wavyleaf sea lavender. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Pastel Shades™ is 110 - 120 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts, Attracts Beneficial Insects.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Pastel Shades™ reaches harvest at 110 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Type: Capsule.
Storage & Preservation
For fresh stems, place in a vase with water at room temperature (65-72°F) in a cool location away from direct sun and ripening fruit. Change water every 2-3 days; fresh arrangements last 2-3 weeks. For preservation: (1) Air drying—bundle stems and hang upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space (70-75°F, 40-50% humidity) for 2-3 weeks until papery to the touch; (2) Silica gel drying—bury flower heads in silica gel for 5-7 days in a sealed container for vibrant color retention; (3) Press drying—lay individual flowers between newspaper under weight for 2-4 weeks. Dried flowers maintain color and structure for 6-12 months if stored in a cool, dry location away from humidity and light.
History & Origin
Pastel Shades™ is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Mediterranean to western Sahara
Advantages
- +Distinctive pastel color palette sets this mix apart from Johnny's standard offering
- +Excellent for dried arrangements due to superior color retention and ease of drying
- +Long-lasting blooms make it ideal for both fresh and dried floral designs
- +Strong stems produce abundant 1.5-3 inch clusters suitable for commercial cutting
- +Easy to grow with minimal care required for reliable productivity
Considerations
- -Limited color range compared to mixed varieties with broader hue selections
- -Longer maturation period of 110-120 days requires extended growing season planning
- -Less versatile than single-color statice for specific floral design applications
Companion Plants
Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are the most practical companions here — marigolds deter aphids and whiteflies through root secretions called thiophenes, while alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that knock back soft-bodied pest populations. Lavender and catmint share statice's preference for drier, well-drained soil, so you're not constantly fighting competing water needs, and both pull in pollinators that benefit the rest of the bed. Give statice a wide berth from black walnut — juglone toxicity suppresses broadleaf plants even at distances of 50 feet or more — and don't plant fennel nearby, which inhibits most of its neighbors through allelopathic root chemistry.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, keeping pests away from main flowers
Lavender
Repels moths, fleas, and flies while attracting pollinators and complementing pastel colors
Catmint
Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while providing long-lasting purple blooms
Petunias
Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs while providing complementary pastel colors
Cosmos
Attract beneficial insects and provide height variation without competing for nutrients
Zinnia
Attract ladybugs and other beneficial predators while adding color diversity
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill many flowering plants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby flowering plants
Eucalyptus
Secretes growth-inhibiting chemicals and competes aggressively for water and nutrients
Troubleshooting Pastel Shades™
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedlings or young transplants suddenly collapse at the soil line, stems pinched-looking and dark
Likely Causes
- Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot triggered by soggy, poorly drained seed-starting mix
- Overwatering combined with low airflow around the tray
What to Do
- 1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately — they won't recover
- 2.Water only when the top inch of mix is dry, and run a small fan near trays to keep air moving
- 3.Start fresh in sterile seed-starting mix; avoid reusing last year's trays without sanitizing them with a 10% bleach solution
Leaves develop gray, powdery coating, usually starting on older growth in mid-summer
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — common on statice in humid conditions with poor airflow
- Plants spaced too close, blocking air circulation between stems
What to Do
- 1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart — 15 to 18 inches is better if you've had mildew problems before
- 2.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tablespoons per gallon of water) every 7 days until the coating stops spreading
- 3.Avoid overhead watering; switch to drip or water at the base in the morning
Stems are tall and floppy, flowers are sparse, and foliage looks washed-out green rather than deep
Likely Causes
- Insufficient sunlight — Limonium sinuatum needs 6 or more hours of direct sun daily to bloom well
- Excess nitrogen from a high-N fertilizer pushing leafy growth at the expense of flowers
What to Do
- 1.Relocate container plants to a sunnier spot, or get transplants into a full-sun bed earlier next season — by late April in most zones
- 2.Switch to a phosphorus-forward fertilizer (an N-P-K like 5-10-5) to nudge the plant toward flower development instead of foliage
- 3.Stake floppy stems with bamboo canes and twine if the plants are otherwise healthy — they're especially prone to this in exposed, windy sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Pastel Shades statice flowers last in a vase?▼
Is Pastel Shades statice good for beginners?▼
Can you grow Pastel Shades statice in containers?▼
When should I plant Pastel Shades statice seeds?▼
What makes statice ideal for dried flower arrangements?▼
Do Pastel Shades statice flowers have any fragrance?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.