Obedient plant: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Physostegia virginiana
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, family Lamiaceae) usually lasts 7–10 days in a vase. In season: Summer, Autumn. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: line flower.
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Obedient plant
- Botanical name
- Physostegia virginiana
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Aliases
- obedient plant
- Native origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- Pink, White, Purple
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in summer, autumn
- Commercial supply
- Peak in summer, autumn
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Cold storage
- Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).
- Special care
- Square stems with neat four-sided spikes of tubular flowers; florets stay where you push them. Strip lower leaves; the tips keep growing towards the light.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Line flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Square stems with neat four-sided spikes of tubular flowers; florets stay where you push them. Strip lower leaves; the tips keep growing towards the light.
For florists
Try Obedient plant in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Square stems with neat four-sided spikes of tubular flowers; florets stay where you push them. Strip lower leaves; the tips keep growing towards the light.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–10 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as obedient plant and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Lily | Focal flower | 7–10 days |
| Lisianthus | Focal flower | 7–14 days |
| Calla lily | Focal flower | 7–10 days |
| Eucalyptus | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Monstera leaf | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| Asparagus fern | Foliage | 10–14 days |
Substitutes
When obedient plant is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiolus | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | mildly toxic |
| Dendrobium orchid | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Love-lies-bleeding | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | — |
| Canterbury bells | 5–8 days | Spring, Summer | None | — |
FAQ
How long does obedient plant last in a vase?
Usually 7–10 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is obedient plant in season?
In season in summer, autumn; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.
How do you keep obedient plant fresh?
Square stems with neat four-sided spikes of tubular flowers; florets stay where you push them. Strip lower leaves; the tips keep growing towards the light.
What colours does obedient plant come in?
Naturally in pink, white, purple (not counting dyed stems).
What can I use instead of obedient plant?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Gladiolus, Dendrobium orchid, Love-lies-bleeding, Canterbury bells.
Related guides
In season at the same time
SunflowerHydrangeaChamomileChrysanthemumAstrantiaLove-lies-bleedingBells of IrelandBupleurum