Yes, you can grow liatris in pots with great results when you set up the container right. This tough native plant thrives on sunny patios, balconies, and small decks. Container liatris brings the same purple spikes and bee draw to spots with no garden bed at all.
I grew a Kobold liatris in a 14-inch (36 cm) terracotta pot on my back patio for three summers in a row. The plant came back each spring with strong stems and full bloom spikes by July. The pot sat in full sun all day and got water about twice a week in hot weeks.
The first key to growing liatris in containers is good drainage from the bottom of the pot. Corms rot fast when they sit in wet soggy soil for days at a time. Pick a pot with at least two big drainage holes in the base for fast water flow.
Pot depth matters more than width for these plants since the corms send down long roots. Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep to give those roots room to grow. Short pots will stunt the plant and cut down on flower size each year.
Width of about 12 to 14 inches lets you fit three or four corms in one pot for a fuller look. I started my Kobold pot with three corms spaced evenly around the rim. By year two, the clump had grown to fill most of the pot with lush green leaves.
UF/IFAS Extension lists liatris as a great pick for pots and patio gardens. Garden Design also names container beds as a top spot for potted blazing star. Both sources back up what I see on my own deck each summer with no trouble at all.
Soil mix is the next big choice you have to get right for your pots. Skip the heavy bagged potting soil that holds water like a sponge for days. Mix two parts standard potting mix with one part coarse sand for the best drainage and root health.
Pick a small cultivar that fits the pot size and stays under control on your patio. Kobold liatris tops out at about 24 inches tall and works well for most pots. Floristan White and Floristan Violet also stay short enough for pot life. Both keep strong stems that do not flop over.
Plant your corms about 3 to 4 inches deep in the pot with the pointed tip up. Water once after planting and then go light on the water until you see green shoots. Too much water before sprouting will rot the corms before they can grow at all.
Place the pot where it gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day for strong stems. South or west facing patios work best for most folks. Skip the shady spots under awnings where less than four hours of sun can reach the plant.
For winter care, move the pot to a sheltered spot against a wall or into an unheated garage. Pots freeze harder than the ground does, so the corms need extra cover from the worst cold. Your plant will pop back up each spring with no fuss when you treat it right.
I learned this winter trick after losing my first pot of liatris to a hard freeze. The corms turned to mush by March and never sent up new shoots. Now I tuck the pot against the south wall of my house each November and the plants come back every time.
Feed your potted blazing star with a light dose of slow release fertilizer in spring. Skip the heavy feeding that can push weak floppy growth in pots. A simple balanced 10-10-10 sprinkled on top once a year keeps the plant happy without burning the roots.
Read the full article: Liatris Plant: Complete Growing Guide
