Hybrid

Voyage 2 Champagne

Eustoma grandiflorum

Photo: KATHERINE WAGNER-REISS · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Harvest

140-150d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

8–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Voyage 2 Champagne in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Voyage 2 Champagne · Zones 8–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam or potting soil enriched with compost, neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0)

WaterConsistent moisture; evenly moist but never waterlogged

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorIvory to soft apricot

Size3"

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

Lisianthus isn't a succession crop — at 140–150 days to harvest, you get one long production window per season and that's it. Start seeds indoors in late February to early March (they're dust-fine and need a heat mat at 75–80°F to germinate reliably in 10–14 days), transplant after last frost in April, and that's your commitment. If you want more flowers without starting over, pinch the main stem after the first flush and you'll get lateral branching — usually 3–5 side shoots that flower 3–4 weeks later.

Complete Growing Guide

3" fully double blooms in an exquisite shade of ivory to soft apricot are lush with abundant layering and ruffling. Group 2, for early spring to summer harvest. Lisianthus is also known as prairie gentian, Texas bluebell, and showy prairie gentian. Pelleted seeds. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Voyage 2 Champagne is 140 - 150 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Greenhouse Performer, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

Voyage 2 Champagne reaches harvest at 140 - 150 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Voyage 2 Champagne stems last 10-14 days in a clean vase with commercial flower food and cool room conditions (65-70°F). Remove lower foliage, recut stems every 2-3 days, and change water daily for optimal longevity. For preservation, air-dry stems by hanging them upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks; the double blooms retain their structure and color beautifully and can be used in dried arrangements for 6+ months. Alternatively, press individual blooms between parchment paper under heavy books for 3-4 weeks to create decorative elements for cards or botanical art. Silica gel drying preserves color most vibrantly but may compact delicate ruffled petals—use only if you're experienced with this method.

History & Origin

Voyage 2 Champagne is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Nebraska south to Texas.

Advantages

+Stunning ivory-apricot double blooms with abundant ruffling create premium-looking cut flowers
+Pelleted seeds simplify sowing and improve germination success for home gardeners
+Group 2 timing enables early spring through summer harvests across seasons
+140-150 day timeline is reasonable for quality double lisianthus production
+Easy difficulty rating makes this variety accessible to novice flower growers

Considerations

-Lisianthus requires consistently moist but well-draining soil or risks root rot
-Botrytis and powdery mildew pressure requires vigilant humidity and air circulation management
-Extended 140-150 day grow period ties up greenhouse space longer than alternatives

Companion Plants

Marigolds (specifically French marigolds, Tagetes patula) are the most useful companion here — their root secretions suppress soil nematodes, which lisianthus doesn't need competing for nutrients during that long 140-day run to bloom. Sweet alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that target the whiteflies and thrips NC State Extension flags as the main insect pressure on this crop, so a low border 6–8 inches out earns its real estate. In our zone 7 Georgia gardens, catmint tends to outlast lavender through summer heat and keeps pulling in pollinators when lisianthus is at peak. Sunflowers stay out — they produce allelopathic compounds that suppress neighboring plants, and lisianthus is sensitive enough that you'll see it in stunted stems before you figure out the cause.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and hoverflies that prey on pests

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing color contrast

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support without competition

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their sulfur compounds

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, may release growth-inhibiting chemicals

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, thrips, whiteflies

Diseases

Botrytis (gray mold), Fusarium wilt, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Voyage 2 Champagne

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Flower buds browning and collapsing before opening, with fuzzy gray fuzz visible on stems or petals during humid stretches

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives when humidity stays above 85% and airflow is poor
Overhead watering that leaves foliage and buds wet overnight

What to Do

1.Water at the base only, and do it in the morning so any splash dries off before evening
2.Pull out and bag any affected stems immediately — Botrytis spreads fast through a planting
3.Space plants the full 18 inches apart and don't let them lean into each other as they grow

Leaves stippled silver or bronze with tiny webbing on the undersides, plants looking dull and dried out despite regular watering

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — population explosions happen fast in hot, dry conditions above 90°F
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) can produce similar silvering but you'll also see distorted new growth alongside it

What to Do

1.Hit the undersides of leaves hard with a strong jet of water for three consecutive mornings to knock mite populations down
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening — full coverage on leaf undersides is what matters, not a light misting from above
3.If thrips are the culprit, sticky blue traps placed near the plants will confirm it within a few days

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Voyage 2 Champagne lisianthus take to grow from seed to flower?▼

Voyage 2 Champagne takes 140-150 days from seed to first bloom, with an additional 10-12 weeks needed for indoor seed starting before transplanting. Start seeds indoors in late winter (10-12 weeks before your last spring frost) and transplant after all frost danger passes and soil reaches 60°F. In ideal conditions, you'll see first flowers in late spring to early summer.

Can you grow Voyage 2 Champagne lisianthus in containers or pots?▼

Yes, Voyage 2 Champagne grows beautifully in containers. Use 6-8 inch pots with excellent drainage and premium potting soil rich in organic matter. Space one plant per pot, or group 3-4 in a larger container for a fuller display. Containers need consistent moisture and more frequent feeding (every 2 weeks) since watering leaches nutrients. Afternoon shade helps in hot climates. Containerized plants flower just as reliably as in-ground specimens.

Is Voyage 2 Champagne lisianthus good for beginners?▼

Yes, it's one of the easiest lisianthus varieties for beginners. The hybrid vigor and Group 2 breeding make it forgiving of minor mistakes. Pelleted seeds are easier to handle than tiny unpelleted seeds. The main requirement is consistent moisture and good air circulation; as long as you avoid waterlogging and keep humidity reasonable, Voyage 2 Champagne will reward you with beautiful double blooms even without prior experience.

What makes Voyage 2 Champagne different from other lisianthus varieties?▼

Voyage 2 Champagne is a Group 2 early-flowering lisianthus with fully double blooms in soft apricot-to-ivory. The 'double' designation means densely ruffled, multi-layered petals creating a luxurious appearance ideal for cut flowers. Group 2 timing allows faster production (140-150 days) compared to later groups. The color—champagne rather than traditional blue or purple—reflects modern breeding for florist trends and sophisticated wedding/event work.

What are the light requirements for Voyage 2 Champagne?▼

Voyage 2 Champagne prefers full sun to partial shade with 4-6+ hours of direct sun daily. In hot climates (zone 8+), afternoon shade (from 2-5 PM) prevents excessive heat stress and fading. In cooler climates, maximum sun promotes sturdier stems and more prolific blooming. Insufficient light (below 4 hours) causes weak, spindly growth and reduced flower production.

How do I prevent bud drop on Voyage 2 Champagne lisianthus?▼

Bud drop occurs with inconsistent watering, low humidity (below 50%), or temperature fluctuations during flower initiation. Keep soil evenly moist—never waterlogged but never bone-dry. Maintain humidity by misting plants or grouping them together. Avoid transplanting during the budding stage. Use consistent, dilute fertilization every 3 weeks to support bud development. Temperature fluctuations of more than 10°F between day and night trigger drop, so ensure stable growing conditions once buds appear.