Liatris spicata aka Dense Blazing Star

Liatris spicata, also known as the dense blazing star or prairie gay feather, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to eastern North America and can be found in moist prairies and sedge meadows. This plant is excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, including various species of butterflies such as the monarch, tiger swallowtail, clouded sulphur, and more. The tall spikes of purple flowers on Liatris spicata resemble bottle brushes or feathers and can grow up to 5 feet tall. This species grows in hardiness zones 3 - 8, stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast, eastern and western Canada. Common varieties include 'Alba' and 'Floristan White' which are white-flowering cultivars on 18 in (46 cm) tall spikes, 'Callilepsis' with long stems good for cut flowers, 'Floristan Violett' with a strong stem and thick, violet flower spikes preferred by florists, and 'Kobold' which stays small in size with deep purple flowers. Liatris spicata var. resinosa is a variable plant found in the southern part of the species's natural range. It has only 5 or 6 flowers per head and the heads are more widely spaced on the stems. These differences are more pronounced when the plants are found in drier and coastal habitats. While Dense Blazing Star is a super rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive, it is important to note that Liatris spicata is typically grown as an outdoor plant. It likes soil that is well-draining and does best in long-lasting, direct light, less than 1 foot from a window. If you choose to repot your Liatris spicata, you shouldn't need added fertilizers if you do so each time it doubles in size.