Hybrid

Voyage 2 Pink Improved

Eustoma grandiflorum

a close up of a pink flower with a blurry background

Wikimedia Commons via Eustoma russellianum

Harvest

140-150d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

8–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

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 Pink Improved in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Voyage 2 Pink Improved · Zones 8–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, slightly acidic

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorPale pink

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	—

Complete Growing Guide

3" fully double blooms in a lovely shade of pale pink 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 Pink Improved 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 Pink Improved 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

Store fresh Lisianthus blooms in a cool location with good air circulation, ideally in a refrigerator at 35-40°F with 85-90% humidity if displaying for extended periods. Cut stems last 7-14 days in water. Preservation methods: (1) Air drying—hang stems upside down in a dark, warm, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks, ideal for dried arrangements; (2) Silica gel drying—bury blooms in silica gel for 3-5 days to retain shape and color, excellent for keepsakes; (3) Pressing—place blooms between paper under weight for 2-3 weeks for floral crafts and framing.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Nebraska south to Texas.

Advantages

+Fully double blooms with abundant ruffling create exceptionally lush, romantic flowers
+Pale pink color is versatile for weddings and high-end floral arrangements
+Pelleted seeds simplify sowing and improve germination rates significantly
+140-150 day timeline allows spring planting for summer peak harvest
+Easy difficulty makes it suitable for both hobbyists and commercial growers

Considerations

-Long growing season requires significant greenhouse space and heating costs
-Lisianthus demands consistently moist soil and high humidity to thrive
-Susceptible to root rot if drainage is inadequate or watering irregular
-Sensitive to temperature fluctuations below 60°F during early growth stages

Companion Plants

Marigolds — French types like 'Petite Gold' in particular — are the most practical neighbor for Voyage 2. Their shallow roots don't compete with lisianthus as it develops, and they put off enough scent to confuse thrips and whiteflies during warm spells. Sweet alyssum planted at the border pulls in parasitic wasps (Braconidae family) that keep aphid pressure down without any intervention from you. Lavender nearby can disrupt fungus gnat egg-laying when plants are young and the soil stays damp. Fennel, eucalyptus, and black walnut all produce allelopathic compounds — juglone from walnut, cineole from eucalyptus — that can stunt or kill lisianthus outright, so give those a wide berth.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract pollinators

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial predatory insects, similar growing conditions

Basil

Repels thrips, flies, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and pollinators, provide height variation

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes with aromatic oils

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Produces chemicals that inhibit growth of most garden plants

Troubleshooting Voyage 2 Pink Improved

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

Seedlings collapse at soil level, often within the first 2-3 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — triggered by overwatering and poor airflow around the seedling stem
Trays kept too wet at temperatures below 65°F, which slows drainage and encourages fungal activity

What to Do

1.Water only when the top of the seedling mix is dry to the touch; Voyage 2 germinates fine with bottom-watering, which keeps the stem dry
2.Run a small fan near seedling trays for 1-2 hours a day to improve airflow
3.If damping off appears, remove affected plugs immediately and drench remaining cells with a copper-based fungicide

Leaves develop gray-brown fuzzy patches, usually starting on older foliage after a stretch of humid weather

Likely Causes

Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea) — a persistent lisianthus problem in humid conditions or when plants are crowded
Spacing tighter than 18 inches, which traps moisture between plants overnight

What to Do

1.Strip affected leaves and bag them — don't compost Botrytis debris
2.Space plants a full 18-24 inches apart and avoid overhead irrigation once plants are established
3.Apply a sulfur-based fungicide at first sign of infection; repeat every 7-10 days during wet stretches

Plants stay flat and rosette-like for weeks — not sending up any stem — long past when you'd expect upward growth

Likely Causes

Vernalization stall — Eustoma grandiflorum needs several weeks of cool temperatures around 50-59°F to break out of the rosette stage; skip that window and plants just sit there
Starting seed too late indoors, so transplants never experienced cool nights before warm weather arrived

What to Do

1.Start seeds indoors in February or early March so plants catch natural cool nighttime temperatures before transplant
2.If plants are already stalled, move them somewhere that gets nights below 60°F for 2-3 weeks before setting them out for good
3.Don't compress the timeline — this variety needs the full 140-150 days, and no amount of warmth will substitute for the cold trigger the rosette stage requires

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Lisianthus flowers last after cutting?▼

Cut Lisianthus blooms typically last 7-14 days in a vase with fresh water and proper care. To maximize longevity, recut stems at an angle, change water every 2-3 days, remove lower foliage, and keep them in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Using floral preservative can extend vase life by several days.

Is Lisianthus a good choice for beginners?▼

Yes, Lisianthus is rated as Easy to grow, making it suitable for beginners. This variety prefers full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and well-drained soil. While they're not particularly fussy, consistent watering and adequate air circulation help prevent disease. Pelleted seeds germinate reliably, though starting indoors ensures best results.

Can you grow Lisianthus in containers?▼

Absolutely! Lisianthus thrives in containers, making it perfect for patios, balconies, and small spaces. Use well-drained potting soil and containers with drainage holes. Space plants 18-24 inches apart even in pots to ensure adequate air circulation. Container growing allows you to move plants to optimal light conditions and makes watering management easier.

When should I plant Lisianthus seeds?▼

Start Lisianthus seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for early spring to summer harvest. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days under proper conditions. Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger has passed. This variety (Group 2) is timed for early spring through summer flowering, requiring about 140-150 days from seed to bloom.

What makes Voyage 2 Pink Improved different from other Lisianthus varieties?▼

Voyage 2 Pink Improved features stunning 3-inch fully double blooms in pale pink with abundant layering and ruffling. The double petals create a lush, romantic appearance ideal for cut flowers and arrangements. As a Group 2 variety, it's bred for early spring to summer harvest timing, and pelleted seeds make sowing easier and more reliable than raw seeds.

How much light does Lisianthus need?▼

Lisianthus requires full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving 4-6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate light promotes robust growth, abundant flowering, and helps prevent fungal issues. In very hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent heat stress, but ensure plants still receive sufficient morning sun for optimal bloom production.