Lobelia

Uses:

Container Spiller
Butterfly Garden
Edging Plant

Features:

Abundant Bright Flowers
Long Blooming or Reblooming
Low Maintenance
Attracts Pollinators

Sunlight:

Partial Sun to Full Sun
5+ Hours of Direct Sun
East, West or South Sides of Homes

Growing Zones:

6-11
What is My Zone?

Lobelia Care

Lobelia is a large group of blooming plants that includes annuals, perennials, and even shrubs. These plants tend to bloom in the spring, producing copious amounts of intensely colored blooms, and may rebloom in the fall. Use them in outdoor container arrangements, at the front of borders, and along pathways.

About Lobelia

Genus

Lobelia

Species

400+

Family

Campanulaceae

Common Names:

Cardinal Flower, Indian Tobacco

Native To:

North America, Europe, and Asia

Plant Type:

Perennials

Foliage Type:

Herbaceous

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

4-11

Flower Color:

Blue, purple, red, white, and pink

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring to summer

Growth Habit:

Clumping, spreading, trailing, upright

Attracts:

Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

Tolerates:

Heat, frost

Resists:

Pests, disease

How To Use Lobelia In The Garden

The commonly cultivated Lobelia erinus is a compact flowering annual known for its rich color spectrum, including shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. Other lobelia varieties, such as Cardinal Flower (L. cardinalis) and Great Blue Lobelia (L. siphilitica), are perennials that can reach up to 3 feet in height. These plants are adaptable, thriving in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, and they typically bloom until the first frost. Their ease of cultivation and extended blooming period make them a popular choice for gardeners.

Lobelias are commonly used as bedding plants in borders, ground covers, rock gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. The more compact annual varieties can have upright bushy or trailing habits, making them suitable for various landscape applications. Perennial types, with their taller stature, add vertical interest to garden beds. Their diverse color range and growth habits allow for creative integration into garden designs.

Lobelia Care

Plant lobelia in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Select a site receiving 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, spacing plants 6-18 inches apart based on the variety. After planting, water thoroughly and maintain consistent moisture during summer, so the soil remains damp but not flooded. Incorporate compost or a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting, followed by biweekly applications of a general liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Lobelia generally requires minimal pruning, as many varieties are self-cleaning. If plants become leggy, trimming them back can promote renewed growth and flowering. Annual lobelias typically do not survive frost; they can be removed and composted at season's end. Perennial types will die back post-frost and can be cut back in fall or left until late winter. Potted lobelia requires drainage holes and an all-purpose potting mix.

Learn More About Lobelia Care

Lobelia Companion Plants

Moist but free‑draining soil and light ranging from bright shade to gentle morning sun keep lobelia dense, cool, and blooming for months. Hydrangea offers a leafy upper storey that protects lobelia’s roots while mirroring its soft hues, and hardy fuchsia threads showy, nectar‑rich blossoms through the same understory, extending pollinator interest into summer. Beneath that duo, astilbe’s finely cut foliage and late plumes hide fading lobelia stems, while low, spreading geraniums knit around the clumps to suppress weeds and carry the color show into early autumn.