Also known as Blazing Star · 992 gardener saves
Liatris: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Liatris, the genus most gardeners know as blazing star. We track 12 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 12 most-saved Liatris varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlazing Star Gayfeather
Liatris spicata
#2 most savedKobold Blazing Star
Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
#3 most savedPrairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Dwarf Blazing Star
Liatris microcephala
Floristan White Blazing Star
Liatris spicata 'Floristan Weiss'
Rough Gayfeather
Liatris aspera
Liatris spicata Kobold Original
Liatris spicata 'Kobold Original'
Scaly Blazing Star
Liatris squarrosa
Kobold Blazing Star
Liatris spicata 'Original Kobold'
White Gayfeather Floristan White Liatris
Liatris spicata 'Floristan White'
Appalachian Blazing Star
Liatris squarrulosa
Elegant Blazing Star
Liatris elegans
How to grow Liatris
What the Liatris varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Liatris year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant bare root or containerized plants in spring or early fall
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back old flower stalks and dead foliage before new growth starts
- DivideMarch and September75% of varieties
Divide clumps every 3-4 years if flowering decreases
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature
- Water regularly during dry spells 💧
- Water during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not disturb roots excessively during dividing
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Liatris
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Voles/Mice | Plants disappear or wilt suddenly; tunnels may be visible. | Protect corms by planting them in wire mesh cages. Encourage natural predators like owls. |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at base | Improve drainage and avoid overwatering |
Making more Liatris
Division
- Divide mature plants in early spring or late fall.
- Replant divisions immediately for best results.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into prepared soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil moisture for 2-3 weeks until germination occurs.
Liatris questions
How many types of Liatris are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Liatris varieties. The most popular — ranked by 992 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Liatris grow in?
Across its varieties, Liatris 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 Liatris bloom?
Most Liatris varieties bloom in mid to late summer, mid-summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Liatris 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
Design with Liatris 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.
