251 gardener saves
Lewisia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 7 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 7 most-saved Lewisia varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSiskiyou Lewisia 'Sunset Strain'
Lewisia cotyledon 'Sunset Strain'
#2 most savedLittle Peach Lewisia
Lewisia longipetala 'Little Peach'
#3 most savedLittle Plum Lewisia
Lewisia longipetala 'Little Plum'
Little Raspberry Lewisia
Lewisia longipetala 'Little Raspberry'
Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva 'Cliff Maids'
Elise Ruby Red Lewisia
Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Ruby Red'
Elise Lewisia
Lewisia rediviva 'Elise'
How to grow Lewisia
What the Lewisia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lewisia year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant in extremely well-drained soil or scree mix
- DeadheadMay and June86% of varieties
Cut spent flower stalks back to the base to tidy the plant
- MulchMarch and April57% of varieties
Apply grit or gravel mulch around the crown to ensure drainage and prevent rot
- Winter PrepOctober and November57% of varieties
Ensure sharp drainage. Protect crown from winter wet with a gravel mulch.
Do
- Use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal growth
- Water sparingly, especially in summer
- Fertilize during active growth months
- Water sparingly, especially in summer 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater plants, risking root rot ❌
- Keep in heavy clay soil without amendment ❌
- Expose to excessive humidity or shade ❌
- Neglect drainage, leading to water pooling ❌
What goes wrong with Lewisia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Mealybugs | White cottony spots on stems | Apply horticultural oil or wipe with alcohol |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spots | Spotted or discolored foliage | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
| Fungal leaf spot | Brown spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation |
Making more Lewisia
Seed
- Tuck seeds lightly into moist, well-draining soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist until germination, about 2–4 weeks.
seed
- Tuck seeds into well-draining soil and mist regularly.
- Maintain consistent moisture for 4–6 weeks until germination.
- Transplant seedlings when they are strong enough.
Lewisia questions
How many types of Lewisia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Lewisia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 251 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lewisia grow in?
Across its varieties, Lewisia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lewisia bloom?
Most Lewisia varieties bloom in early summer, late spring to early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lewisia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Lewisia shows up in
Design with Lewisia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
