Dotted Blazing Star

Dotted Blazing Star (Liatris punctata) should be watered once a week throughout the growing season. A good soak of 1-2 inches of water is recommended to ensure the plant's root system is saturated. The soil should be allowed to dry out before the next watering to avoid over-watering. During periods of intense heat or drought, the soil should be kept slightly moist to ensure the plant does not dry out or suffer from stress. Once the Dotted Blazing Star has gone dormant during the late Summer/Fall, watering can be reduced or stopped completely.

Dotted Blazing Star (Liatris punctata) grows best when it receives full or partial sunlight for 6-8 hours a day. This could be in the form of direct sunlight or in the form of bright, indirect natural light. If direct sunlight is not available, providing bright, indirect light is the next best option. Also, if the plant is grown indoors, it should be in a spot with bright, natural light, either in a south-facing window or near an outdoor window. If these requirements of light for this plant species are not met, the plant may become weak, and its growth will be adversely affected.

When pruning Dotted Blazing Star (Liatris punctata), it should be done shortly after the plant has finished blooming. Blooming typically occurs in late summer or early fall, so wait about 1-2 weeks after blooming ends before pruning. Pruning should involve cutting off only the flowers and seed heads, and not the entire stem. Cut the flower stems down to a couple of inches above the soil line. This will help to inhibit the reoccurrence of the flowers in the spring, as well as promote new branch growth, and will keep the plant looking neat and tidy. It can also help to encourage bushier growth.