- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
- Use As A Thriller In Containers
With its dark foliage and contrasting red blooms, the Black Truffle Cardinal Flower really stands out in a bed or a border. Producing deep chocolate-purple leaves with tall flower spikes adorned with red blooms, this perennial is great for adding impact and height to any garden. Botanically named the Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle', it is commonly known as the Black Truffle Cardinal Flower and is adored by pollinators and hummingbirds.
Native to North America, the Black Truffle Cardinal Flower is happiest when grown on moist or wet soils. Forming an erect and clumping mound, this Lobelia can grow to a height of 4 feet and provide great structure to the garden. Thankfully deer-resistant, the ornamental foliage will last from early summer until the first frost. It can either be grown as a specimen plant or for more impact, as a group.
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower Care
The Black Truffle Cardinal Flower needs to be grown in moisture-retentive fertile soil and does well when planted in a bog or rain garden. To get the best flowers and foliage color, it is best to plant this Black Truffle Cardinal Flower in full sun or partial shade. With its tall stems, it is advisable to grow this plant in a sheltered location out of the prevailing winds. If grown in a soil of medium to high fertility, no supplemental fertilizer is generally necessary.
Once the flowering stems have finished, they can be cut back to promote a neat appearance, although this will mean any self-seeding will not occur. Sadly, the Black Truffle Cardinal Flower is often short-lived. However, it can easily be divided every few years in spring to produce replacement plants. If growth becomes leggy during the growing season, stems can be reduced to encourage new growth.
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower Spacing
If given the correct conditions, the Black Truffle Cardinal Flower can reach an eventual 4 feet tall by three feet wide. A plant spacing of approximately 24 inches is advisable if planted in groups.
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
Plant Type: Perennial |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Red |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Long Blooming Throughout The Summer |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Purple |
Foliage Description: Deep Chocolate Purple |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: Thriller |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Native to North America |
Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
Common Name: Black Truffle Cardinal Flower |
Other Name(s): Cardinal Flower |
Scientific Name: Lobelia c. 'Black Truffle' |
- SKU:
- 1231008194-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.