Estroma Flower: A Florist's Guide to Eustoma (Lisianthus)
"Estroma" is the way many people spell eustoma, a cut flower also sold as lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum). It looks like a soft, ruffled rose or a poppy, grows several buds on each stem and, with simple care, lasts 10-14 days in a vase. It comes in white, cream, pink, lilac, deep purple and pale green, often with a contrasting edge on the petals.
In our Saint Petersburg shops, which have been open since 2011, eustoma is one of the flowers customers most often point at and ask about by name, and the questions are nearly always the same. People want to know whether it is a kind of rose, how long it will last, what it means as a gift and why some buds on the stem stay closed. This guide answers those questions in the order customers usually ask them, followed by care steps we give with every eustoma bouquet.
Eustoma, lisianthus, estroma: one flower, several names
Eustoma and lisianthus are the same plant; florists in Europe and Russia tend to say eustoma, while American growers and catalogues often use lisianthus. The spelling "estroma" appears because the word is usually heard rather than read, and it is close enough that search engines understand what you mean. You may also come across older names such as prairie gentian or Texas bluebell, which point to its origin. The wild plant grows in the grasslands of the southern United States and northern Mexico and belongs to the gentian family, not to the rose family.
The wild form has simple bell-shaped flowers in violet-blue. Decades of breeding produced the cut flower sold today: tall stems of 50-70 cm, branching tops and large double blooms with layers of thin, slightly crinkled petals. Double varieties are the ones mistaken for roses, especially in white and soft pink. Single varieties are lighter and closer to a poppy or a campanula, and they suit airy, garden-style bouquets.
Colours and what eustoma means as a gift
White and cream eustoma are the classic choice for weddings, christenings and quiet, respectful gestures, because they read as clean and calm without being as formal as white roses. Pink and peach shades are the most popular for birthdays and for mothers and grandmothers. Deep purple and lilac, the colours closest to the wild flower, look striking in contrast with white and are often chosen by men buying flowers for a woman who dislikes standard red roses. Green eustoma is a florist's favourite as a companion flower and works well in bouquets for colleagues.
In the language of flowers, eustoma is associated with gratitude and appreciation, which makes it a natural thank-you bouquet for a teacher, a doctor or a host. It has no mourning associations in Russia, so any colour is safe for a celebration. Customers sending flowers to elderly relatives often like it because it looks generous but not loud, and it does not have a strong scent, which matters in small apartments and for people who are sensitive to perfume. An even or odd number of stems is not an issue here: eustoma is sold by the branching stem, and each stem carries several flowers.
Eustoma also pairs well with other flowers. With spray roses and eucalyptus it makes a soft romantic bouquet, with chrysanthemums and pistachio greenery a longer-lasting everyday one, and on its own in a single colour it looks modern and calm.
Bouquets we can deliver
How long eustoma lasts and why some buds stay closed
A fresh eustoma stem typically lasts 10-14 days in a vase, which is longer than most garden-style flowers and comparable to a good rose. The secret is that each stem carries several buds that open one after another. When the first open flowers fade, you remove them and the younger buds take over, so the bouquet changes but does not look tired.
The smallest, tight green buds at the top of the stem often never open, and this is normal rather than a sign of poor quality. Buds that already show colour will open within a few days at room temperature. If you want the bouquet to look full on the day you hand it over, choose stems where two or three flowers are already open. If the bouquet is for someone who will enjoy it over two weeks, a few more closed coloured buds are actually the better choice.
When customers choose stems in the shop, we suggest checking three things. The leaves should be firm and evenly green, without yellowing at the base. The open flowers should have smooth petals with no translucent or brown edges. And the stem should feel solid just under the flower heads; a soft neck means the stem has been out of water too long. A stem that passes these checks will reward you with the full two weeks.
Care steps we give with every eustoma bouquet
Start with a clean vase and cool or room-temperature water, filled to about a third of the vase height. Cut each stem by 2-3 cm at an angle with a sharp knife or secateurs and remove all leaves that would sit in the water, because decaying leaves feed bacteria that block the stems. Add flower food if it came with the bouquet. Eustoma stems are fairly firm, so they do not need splitting or any special treatment.
Change the water every two days and refresh the cut at the same time. Keep the vase away from radiators, direct afternoon sun and draughts from an open window in winter. Eustoma is sensitive to ethylene, the gas released by ripening fruit, so do not place the vase next to a fruit bowl, especially bananas and apples. Avoid spraying the petals: they are thin and develop brown spots from water droplets.
Pick off faded flowers as soon as their petals go limp. This keeps the bouquet neat and lets the stem send water to the buds that are still opening. If the stems become very short after several recuts, move the remaining flowers into a low vase or a glass; eustoma looks just as good in a small posy as in a tall arrangement.
Ordering an eustoma bouquet to Saint Petersburg or elsewhere in Russia
Customers abroad usually ask us three things: whether they can pay with a foreign card, how fast the flowers arrive and whether the recipient will know who sent them. Foreign bank cards are accepted, with payment through Robokassa, and on the site you can also pay by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay. Delivery is anonymous by default, so the courier does not name the sender, and a card with your text is free. You can see current eustoma bouquets in the bouquets catalogue.
We deliver flowers across Russia. Delivery within a city costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, or you can choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or a pre-order 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock, which is useful when you are ordering from a different time zone.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival. If nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the bouquet with a neighbour or concierge. Full conditions are on the delivery and payment page, and if you have questions about a bouquet or the delivery, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
Is estroma the same as eustoma?
Yes. Estroma is a common spelling of eustoma, the flower also known as lisianthus. All three names refer to Eustoma grandiflorum.
Is eustoma a type of rose?
No, it belongs to the gentian family. Double-flowered varieties look very similar to roses, which is why the two are often confused.
How long does eustoma last in a vase?
Usually 10-14 days with fresh water every two days and regular recutting. Buds open gradually, so the bouquet keeps renewing itself.
Does eustoma have a scent?
Practically none. That makes it a good choice for small rooms, hospitals and people who dislike strong flower fragrance.
Why are some eustoma buds not opening?
The tiny green buds at the top often stay closed, which is normal. Buds that already show colour open within a few days at room temperature.
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