The prairie gentian from the USA and Mexico is an upright annual or biennial, grown for its foliage and attractive flowers, which last well when cut. The pointed-oval, thinly fleshy leaves, 5 in. (8 cm) long, are gray-green and thickly covered with a fine, powdery, bluish bloom, which can be rubbed off with the fingers.

The bell-shaped flowers are borne in summer on 2½ in. (6 cm) stalks, either singly or in clusters. Each is satiny, 2—2 ½ in. (5—6 cm) across, in white, blue, pink, or purple with a darker central patch, and the short Lube is paler than the lobes. Smaller plants are now popular as pot plants.

Size: Height 8 in.—2 ft. (20—60 cm).

Light: Indirect sunlight.

Temperature: Cool.

Moisture: Keep moist from spring to fall. In winter, apply only enough water to prevent the plant drying out.

Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks from spring through to fall.

Propagation: Sow seed in fall or late winter.

Special needs: In milder areas, eustomas can be grown outdoors, otherwise, they will thrive in a cool conservatory. The plant will need supporting because its stems are not particularly strong.