--- title: "Obedient plant: vase life, season, meaning & care | Floreboard flower guide" url: https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/physostegia/ language: en last_reviewed: 2026-10-31 publisher: Floreboard --- # Obedient plant: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists ZANDER 5D ✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀ 7–10 days ❄ 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. - **Botanical name:** Physostegia virginiana - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Role in a design:** Line flower - **Vase life:** 7–10 days - **In season:** Summer, Autumn - **Fragrance:** None - **Colours:** [pink](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/pink/), [white](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/white/), [purple](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/purple/) - **Type:** Cut flower - **Pets:** Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base — check the ASPCA list for the exact species ## Cut flower commercial monograph 🌿 Taxonomy & Origin - **Official name:** Obedient plant - **Botanical name:** Physostegia virginiana - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Aliases:** obedient plant - **Native origin:** Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide 🌸 Morphology & Visuals - **Growth habit:** Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems. - **Stem length:** 50–70 cm - **Natural colours:** Pink, White, Purple ⏳ Phenology & Harvest - **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). ✂️ Postharvest & Floristry - **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 We fill in the brief from this page. No stock yet? Load the sample flowers — Obedient plant included — and see a recipe, quote and preview image in about a minute. New shops get 30 free credits. Try it as a design — free ## Care 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](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/) | Focal flower | 7–10 days | | [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/) | Focal flower | 7–14 days | | [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/) | Focal flower | 7–10 days | | [Eucalyptus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/eucalyptus/) | Foliage | 10–14 days | | [Monstera leaf](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/monstera/) | Foliage | 10–14 days | | [Asparagus fern](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/asparagus/) | 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](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gladiolus/) | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | mildly toxic | | [Dendrobium orchid](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dendrobium/) | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — | | [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | — | | [Canterbury bells](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/campanula/) | 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 - [Cut flower care and conditioning guide](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/cut-flower-care/) - [Unscented and low-pollen flowers](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/unscented-flowers/) - [Summer flowers in season](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/seasonal-flowers/summer/) ## In season at the same time [Sunflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sunflower/) · [Hydrangea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hydrangea/) · [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/) · [Chrysanthemum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chrysanthemum/) · [Astrantia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/astrantia/) · [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) · [Bells of Ireland](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/moluccella/) · [Bupleurum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bupleurum/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-31. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. Pet toxicity follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) · [About our data](https://floreboard.com/en/about/)