Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Native Cardinal Flower is a sensational perennial that features bold, scarlet red flowers that not only can grow but will thrive in conditions that are unsuitable for many other types of plants. The delicate flowers are tubular and grow in evenly spaced circular rows on tall stems. Flowers bloom from early July into September. Further down, the thin stems feature narrow ovate green foliage. Lobelia cardinalis will reach 2 to 3 feet tall, and while the flowers are small, they make a significant impact.
Cardinal Flower thrives in damp areas, making this perennial a wonderful choice to plant near ponds or streams. This clump-forming upright perennial can easily grow in areas too wet for other plants, and it can transform a marshy spot into a lovely flower bed. As a native plant, the Native Cardinal Flower is very low maintenance and attracts various pollinators. This hardy plant grows as a perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Native Cardinal Flower Care
This perennial needs rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Native Cardinal Flowers can tolerate standing water caused by seasonal flooding. The soil should be kept consistently damp, and this plant may need water several times a week, especially during a drought. A layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture while giving the plant a boost of nutrients. Plant in full sun, but in warmer regions, this plant will benefit from morning sun and afternoon shade.
Remove spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance and to encourage more blooming. Leave some spent blooms in place so the Cardinal Flower can self-seed if you want to expand the colony. Cut back the growth if the plant becomes leggy later in the season.
Native Cardinal Flower Spacing
Native Cardinal Flower has an upright growth habit and will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Plants can be grown 18 to 24 inches apart for a dense, meadow-like look.
Native Cardinal Flower Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions) |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 18 - 24 Inches |
| Spacing: 18 - 24 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Red |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Late July through September |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Native to North America |
| Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
| Common Name: Native Cardinal Flower |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: LOBELIA CARDINALIS |
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.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!