Lisianthus is one of the most sought-after cut flowers in the world — prized by florists, wedding designers, and flower farmers for its rose-like blooms, exceptional vase life, and stunning color range. For commercial growers looking to scale production, the Super Magic and Sabrina series deliver the consistency, vigor, and color saturation that high-volume operations demand.
This guide covers everything you need to know: variety breakdowns, germination protocols, plug tray programs, zone-based planting schedules, succession planting, and direct links to buy pelleted seed in bulk. Whether you're growing for a farmers market, a wholesale florist account, or a dried flower program, this is your complete commercial reference.
Browse our full lisianthus seed collection at Trailing Petunia Bulk Seeds — and for smaller retail packs, visit our sister site at trailingpetunia.com.
Why Super Magic & Sabrina Lisianthus for Commercial Production?
Both series are bred specifically for professional cut flower production. They share key commercial traits:
- Pelleted seed for precision sowing in 288-cell or 200-cell plug trays
- Uniform germination and predictable days-to-bloom for scheduling
- Strong stem length suitable for bouquet and wholesale grading
- Excellent vase life — 10–14+ days post-harvest
- Wide color palette covering warm, cool, and bicolor tones
The Super Magic series is known for its large, fully double blooms and rich color saturation — ideal for premium bouquets and wedding work. The Sabrina series brings warm tropical tones (mango, orange) that are increasingly popular in specialty cut flower markets and dried flower programs.
Super Magic Lisianthus – Full Color Lineup
The Super Magic series offers seven distinct colors, each available in 1,000 pelleted seeds for commercial-scale planting. Click any variety to buy direct:
- Super Magic Champagne — Soft ivory-champagne blooms; elegant for wedding and event work
- Super Magic Rose — Classic warm rose-pink; a perennial bestseller for florists
- Super Magic Yellow — Bright, clean yellow; rare in lisianthus and highly marketable
- Super Magic Apricot — Warm apricot-peach tones; excellent for fall and summer arrangements
- Super Magic White — Pure white; essential for bridal and sympathy work
- Super Magic Deep Blue — Rich, saturated blue-violet; a standout in mixed bouquets
- Super Magic Capri Blue Picotee — White petals edged in blue; a designer favorite for high-end floral work
Sabrina Lisianthus – Warm Tropical Tones
The Sabrina series fills a gap in the lisianthus market with warm, tropical-inspired colors that are difficult to source from other series. Both varieties are available in 1,000 pelleted seeds:
- Sabrina Mango — Rich mango-orange with excellent color depth; popular for specialty markets and dried flower programs
- Sabrina Orange — Bright, true orange; a rare and highly marketable lisianthus color for florists and farmers markets
Series Comparison: Super Magic vs. Sabrina
| Feature | Super Magic | Sabrina |
|---|---|---|
| Color Range | Cool, neutral, and warm tones (7 colors) | Warm tropical tones (2 colors) |
| Bloom Type | Large, fully double | Double, rich saturation |
| Best Use | Weddings, wholesale, premium bouquets | Specialty markets, dried flowers, fall arrangements |
| Stem Length | 60–80 cm | 60–75 cm |
| Vase Life | 10–14+ days | 10–14 days |
| Seed Format | Pelleted, 1,000/pack | Pelleted, 1,000/pack |
| Plug Tray | 288-cell or 200-cell | 288-cell or 200-cell |
Germination & Plug Tray Protocol
Lisianthus is one of the more demanding crops to germinate, but with pelleted seed and the right environment, commercial growers achieve consistent results. Follow this protocol for both Super Magic and Sabrina:
- Sowing depth: Surface sow or cover lightly — no more than 1/16 inch. Light aids germination.
- Plug tray: 288-cell for transplant plugs; 200-cell for larger starts
- Germination temperature: 70–75°F (21–24°C) — consistent warmth is critical
- Humidity: Keep humidity high (90%+) until cotyledons emerge; use a humidity dome
- Light: 16-hour photoperiod under grow lights accelerates germination and early growth
- Days to germination: 10–14 days under ideal conditions
- Days to transplant-ready plug: 8–12 weeks from sow date
- Fertilizer: Begin light feeding (50–75 ppm N) once true leaves appear
Pro tip: Lisianthus is highly sensitive to overwatering in the plug stage. Allow the media surface to dry slightly between waterings to prevent damping off.
Spacing Guide for Field & Greenhouse Production
| Production Type | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Field cut flower | 6" x 6" (15 x 15 cm) | Use support netting; 2–3 layers for tall stems |
| High tunnel / greenhouse | 5" x 5" (12 x 12 cm) | Tighter spacing increases stem length |
| Pot production | 1 plant per 4–6" pot | For retail or specialty market sales |
When to Plant by USDA Zone
| Zone | Indoor Seed Start | Transplant Outdoors | Direct Sow | Grower Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Late January–February | Late May–June | Not recommended | Short season; use high tunnel for best results |
| Zone 4 | January–February | Mid-May–June | Not recommended | Start early indoors; protect from late frost |
| Zone 5 | December–January | Early May | Not recommended | 10–12 week plug program; transplant after last frost |
| Zone 6 | November–December | Late April–May | Not recommended | Target June–July harvest; succession plant for fall |
| Zone 7 | October–November | March–April | Not recommended | Two crops possible; spring and fall harvest windows |
| Zone 8 | September–October | February–March | Not recommended | Fall planting for spring harvest; avoid summer heat |
| Zone 9 | August–September | October–November | Not recommended | Cool-season crop; grow Oct–April; avoid summer |
| Zone 10 | July–August | September–October | Not recommended | Strictly cool-season; greenhouse or shade cloth required in summer |
| Zone 11 | Year-round (controlled) | Year-round (controlled) | Not recommended | Climate control required; grow in cooled greenhouse |
Succession Planting Schedule (Zone 6 Example)
For a continuous harvest window from June through October in Zone 6, stagger your sow dates every 3–4 weeks:
| Sow Date | Transplant Date | Expected Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Late January | Late June | First flush; target wedding season |
| December 1 | Late February | Late July | Peak summer harvest |
| January 1 | Late March | Late August | Late summer; farmers market peak |
| February 1 | Late April | Late September | Fall harvest; Sabrina colors shine here |
| March 1 | Late May | Late October | Final flush before frost; use high tunnel |
Harvest & Post-Harvest Handling
Harvest lisianthus when 2–3 buds on the stem are showing color but not yet fully open. This maximizes vase life and allows blooms to open in the vase for the end customer.
- Harvest time: Early morning when stems are fully turgid
- Cut stem length: 50–70 cm depending on variety and production system
- Conditioning: Place immediately in clean water with floral preservative; hydrate for 4–6 hours before bunching
- Cold storage: 34–38°F (1–3°C); do not store with ethylene-producing fruits
- Vase life: 10–14+ days for Super Magic and Sabrina under proper handling
- Dried flower potential: Sabrina Mango and Sabrina Orange air-dry beautifully; hang upside down in a warm, dry space for 2–3 weeks
Shop Super Magic & Sabrina Lisianthus – Product Image Grid
All varieties are available in 1,000 pelleted seeds. Click any image to shop direct:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Super Magic and Sabrina lisianthus?
Super Magic is a large-flowered series with a broad color palette spanning cool, neutral, and warm tones — ideal for weddings, wholesale accounts, and premium bouquets. Sabrina is a smaller series focused on warm tropical colors (mango and orange) that are rare in lisianthus and highly sought after in specialty cut flower and dried flower markets.
How many lisianthus plants can I grow from 1,000 pelleted seeds?
Under commercial germination conditions (70–75°F, high humidity, 16-hour photoperiod), you can expect 80–90% germination from pelleted lisianthus seed, yielding 800–900 transplant-ready plugs per 1,000-seed pack. Actual results depend on your germination environment and plug tray management.
What plug tray size is best for lisianthus?
288-cell plug trays are the industry standard for lisianthus starts. They produce a compact, well-rooted plug that transplants cleanly and establishes quickly. 200-cell trays are used when a larger plug is preferred, particularly for growers with longer production windows or cooler greenhouse conditions.
How long does lisianthus take from seed to harvest?
Lisianthus is a long-season crop. From sow date to first harvest, expect 20–28 weeks depending on your zone, production system, and time of year. Starting seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before transplant date and using a 16-hour photoperiod can shorten the production window.
Can I grow Super Magic or Sabrina lisianthus outdoors in Zone 6?
Yes. In Zone 6, start seeds indoors in November–December, transplant in late April–May after last frost, and target a late June–July harvest. Use support netting and plan for 6" x 6" spacing in the field. Succession planting every 3–4 weeks extends your harvest window through October.
Are Sabrina lisianthus varieties good for dried flowers?
Yes — Sabrina Mango and Sabrina Orange are excellent for dried flower programs. Their warm, saturated colors hold well when air-dried. Harvest when 2–3 buds are showing color, strip the lower foliage, and hang upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space for 2–3 weeks.
Where can I buy Super Magic and Sabrina lisianthus seeds in bulk?
All Super Magic and Sabrina lisianthus varieties are available in 1,000 pelleted seed packs at Trailing Petunia Bulk Seeds. For smaller retail packs, visit our sister site at trailingpetunia.com.
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