Liatris is a tall, upright, clump-forming perennial native to moist lowlands, meadows, and marshes. It produces rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads on rigid, erect, leafy stalks. The plant has a tuft of narrow, medium-green leaves at its base, with the size of the leaves gradually decreasing as they grow higher on the stem. Liatris blooms in the summer, with its flower heads composed of fluffy disk flowers resembling "blazing stars." Another common name for liatris is gayfeather due to its feathery flower heads.

For ideal growth, Liatris requires well-drained soil in full sun. Although it can tolerate poor soils, it prefers moist and fertile ones. Liatris generally performs better in moist soils than most other species of Liatris and is intolerant of wet soils in winter. It can withstand summer heat and humidity. While it can be grown from seed, it is slow to establish.