Hybrid

Voyage 2 Yellow II

Eustoma grandiflorum

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 Yellow II in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Voyage 2 Yellow II · Zones 8–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained potting mix or garden soil amended with perlite; lisianthus is sensitive to waterlogging

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; not drought-tolerant, but extremely sensitive to overwatering and waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorCreamy yellow

Size2 1/2-4"

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

These creamy yellow blooms remind us of big scoops of French vanilla ice cream. 2 1/2-4", fully double blooms 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 Yellow II 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 Yellow II reaches harvest at 140 - 150 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2 1/2-4" 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 Yellow II blooms last longest in a cool location (60-65°F) away from direct sunlight, ethylene-producing fruits, and heating vents. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stem ends at a 45-degree angle to maximize water uptake. Blooms typically hold for 10-14 days with proper care.\n\nFor longer preservation, air-dry blooms by hanging stems upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space (65-75°F, low humidity) for 7-10 days. Once completely dry, store in airtight containers with silica gel packets to maintain color and prevent moisture reabsorption.\n\nPress individual petals between absorbent paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks to create pressed flowers suitable for crafts, cards, and resin work. Pressed petals retain their creamy yellow color for years when stored in dry conditions.\n\nFreeze blooms by placing whole stems in water-filled tubes or by individual pressing between parchment for botanical crafts, though frozen blooms won't revive as cut flowers.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Nebraska south to Texas.

Advantages

+Stunning creamy yellow fully double blooms with abundant ruffling and layering.
+Extended harvest window from early spring through summer flowering.
+Impressive 2.5-4 inch bloom size makes impressive cut flower arrangements.
+Pelleted seeds simplify sowing and spacing compared to tiny raw seeds.
+Easy difficulty rating means reliable performance for beginning and experienced growers.

Considerations

-Long 140-150 day growing cycle requires early starting indoors.
-Lisianthus demands consistently moist but well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
-Susceptible to Fusarium and other fungal diseases in humid conditions.
-Finicky about temperature fluctuations during seedling stage causing germination failures.

Companion Plants

Marigolds (French types like 'Bonanza') are the most practical companion here — their root secretions deter aphids and whiteflies, both of which will find lisianthus given the chance. Sweet alyssum planted at the border draws in parasitic wasps that knock back aphid pressure before it builds, and its 6-inch height means zero competition for light. Lavender and catmint add structure nearby without crowding root space, and both repel thrips — a real concern once buds form. Sunflowers are the one to keep at a distance: they shed allelopathic compounds from their roots and, at 5 to 6 feet, they'll put lisianthus in the shade well before it finishes its 140-150 day run.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

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

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for pest control

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests naturally

Lavender

Deters pests with strong fragrance and attracts pollinators like bees

Zinnias

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing complementary colors

Calendula

Repels aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while being drought-tolerant companion

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic oils suppress growth of nearby plants and reduce germination

Sunflowers

Can overshadow smaller plants and may inhibit growth through allelopathic compounds

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips (typically minor if air circulation is good)

Diseases

Damping-off (seedling stage), root rot, powdery mildew (in poor air circulation)

Troubleshooting Voyage 2 Yellow II

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

Seedlings collapsing at the soil line, stems pinching to a thread, within the first 2-3 weeks of germination

Likely Causes

Damping-off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi thriving in waterlogged, poorly drained seedling mix
Overwatering combined with low airflow around the tray

What to Do

1.Ditch any mix that doesn't drain fast; lisianthus seedlings are tiny and slow — they cannot sit in wet media
2.Water from the bottom by setting trays in a shallow dish for 20 minutes, then let them drain completely
3.Run a small fan on low near your germination setup to keep surface moisture down

Leaves developing a white, powdery coating, usually starting on older foliage around mid-season

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or related species) — kicks in when plants are crowded and air stagnates around the canopy
Spacing tighter than 12 inches, which traps humidity between stems

What to Do

1.Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart — that's the floor, not a rough target
2.Apply a dilute potassium bicarbonate spray (1 tablespoon per gallon) at first sign; it won't reverse existing damage but stops spread
3.Water at the base in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall; skip the overhead sprinkler entirely

Buds failing to open, or flowers aborting before fully developing, with no obvious pest damage visible

Likely Causes

Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) feeding inside closed buds — they hide well and the damage looks like bud blast or petal scarring
Daytime highs above 90°F stressing the plant during bud set — Eustoma grandiflorum is notably heat-sensitive at this stage

What to Do

1.Tap a suspect bud over a white sheet of paper and look for tiny, fast-moving slivers — that confirms thrips
2.If thrips are present, apply spinosad per label directions, targeting buds directly; repeat after 7 days
3.If heat is the culprit, 30-40% shade cloth can shave a few degrees off peak afternoon temperatures

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Voyage 2 Yellow II lisianthus take to bloom from seed?▼

Expect 140-150 days total from sowing to first flowers. This breaks down to 10-21 days for germination, 6-8 weeks of seedling growth indoors, 1-2 weeks hardening off, and 70-90 days from transplanting to blooms. Starting seeds 8-10 weeks before your last frost and transplanting after frost danger passes typically results in flowers by midsummer.

Can I grow Voyage 2 Yellow II lisianthus in containers?▼

Yes, absolutely. Use a 6-8 inch pot per plant filled with well-draining potting mix amended with 20-30% perlite or pumice. Container growing actually reduces waterlogging risks if you use proper drainage holes and allow excess water to escape freely. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and fertilize every 2 weeks. Containers warm faster in spring and can be moved to afternoon shade in hot climates.

Why are my Voyage 2 Yellow II seedlings dying before germination or shortly after?▼

The most common culprit is poor drainage or overwatering of the seed-starting mix. Lisianthus seeds and seedlings are extremely prone to damping-off fungal diseases in wet, poorly-ventilated conditions. Use a fine-textured, sterile seed-starting mix, keep it moist but not waterlogged, provide 95%+ humidity in a dome until germination, then remove the dome immediately and run a small fan for air circulation. Ensure your heating mat maintains steady 70-75°F.

Is Voyage 2 Yellow II good for beginners?▼

Not for seed-starting beginners—the germination and seedling phases require precision and patience. However, if you purchase transplants or rooted seedlings from a nursery, the garden-growing phase is quite easy. Plant in full sun to partial shade, maintain consistent (not excessive) moisture, and deadhead spent blooms. Once established, Voyage 2 Yellow II is relatively trouble-free and rewards basic care with abundant flowers.

How do I get more blooms from Voyage 2 Yellow II?▼

Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching stems just below the bloom. This triggers branching and a continuous flush of new blooms from summer through fall. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced or phosphorus-rich formula to support heavy flowering. Ensure 4-6+ hours of direct sun daily, consistent moisture, and good air circulation. Pinching the growing tip when plants are 6-8 inches tall also encourages bushier growth with more flowering stems.

What's the difference between Voyage 2 Yellow II and other yellow lisianthus varieties?▼

Voyage 2 Yellow II is a Group 2 hybrid engineered for earlier, more reliable flowering (spring to summer) versus Group 1 varieties that flower later in the season. The 'Voyage' series was developed for commercial cut-flower production, so it emphasizes uniform, densely ruffled petals, strong stems, and long vase life. The creamy yellow color is warm and mellow compared to some brighter yellow cultivars. If you want guaranteed mid-season blooms and professional-quality flowers, Voyage 2 is superior to many older or unnamed yellow lisianthus seed strains.