Lobelia
( loh - BEEL - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationLobelia is a genus of perennial and annual flowering plants that are widely planted in containers and baskets as well as in flower borders. Flowers resemble Honeysuckle or Salvia. Flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Take care when planting, as the foliage of most species contain toxic chemicals that can harm humans and pets.
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Lobelia Species and Varietals
The genus Lobelia is a member of the plant family Campanulaceae and includes 415 species. The best growing zones for Lobelia vary depending on the species. For more information, see the following descriptions. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Lobelia anatina (Apache Lobelia, South Western Lobelia) These plants are native to southwestern North America, and form small shrubby plants. Flowers are blue to violet in color, and form on upright spikes in July through October. Plants reach up to 32 inches tall when in bloom, and are perennial herbaceous plants that are typically grown as annuals, especially in cooler climates. |
Lobelia cardinalis (Lobelia fulgens) (Cardinal Flower) This perennial species grows well in zones 1-7 and 14-17 and is native to the eastern United States as well as scattered areas in the mountains of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It produces a single stem topped with a spike of red flowers in summer. It is naturally a bog plant, and loves rich, moist soil and can take full sun or partial shade. Varieties include 'Queen Victoria' (4-5 feet tall with purple-red foliage and scarlet flowers) and 'St. Elmo's Fire' ('Elm Fire'; with bronze foliage and scarlet flowers). |
Lobelia columnaris These plants are considered to be a type of Giant Lobelia, and are native to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. They naturally grow in subtropical and tropical dry forests, and reach between 2 and 5 feet tall when mature and in bloom. Flowers are borne on large spikes and are white to bluish. |
Lobelia deckenii Endemic to Tanzania's mountain ranges, these plants prefer moist areas. Each plant can produce multiple rosettes of foliage that grow for several decades before producing a single large inflorescence that bears hundreds of thousands of seeds, and then die. Plants usually form between one and eighteen rosettes which are connected underground and live on when one dies. |
Lobelia dortmanna (Dortmann's Cardinalflower, Water Lobelia) These plants form stolons and are considered to be aquatic plants, forming underwater basal leaf rosettes and flower stalks that rise above the surface. Blooms are white to pale pink or pale blue, and are held above the water. Leaves are evergreen and stomata-less. These plants occur in shallow water on lakeshores and in wetlands. |
Lobelia erinus (Edging Lobelia, Garden Lobelia, Trailing Lobelia) This annual grows well in all zones and is native to South Africa. It is a popular and widely-grown species of Lobelia, with bronzy-green or green foliage. Blooms last from early summer to the first frost of the year and flowers are commonly blue with white or yellow throats, though flowers can come in other colors such as pink, reddish-purple, or white). It needs rich, moist soil. |
Lobelia hypoleuca (Kuhi'aikamo'owahie, Opelu, Liua, Mo'owahie) This species is endemic to Hawaii, and is cultivated elsewhere as a garden ornamental. These shrubs can reach up to 11 feet tall, and have woody stems that are whitish and rough. Leaves are green and shiny, but white and wooly on the undersides. Each plant produces 3-7 flowering stalks up to 16 inches tall. Flowers are blue. |
Lobelia laxiflora (Mexican Lobelia, Sierra Madre Lobelia, Mexican Cardinalflower, Looseflowers Lobelia, Drooping Lobelia) This perennial Lobelia grows best in zones 7-9 and 12-24 and is native to Arizona and Mexico. It reaches 3 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide. Stems are erect and clothed in narrow leaves, topped with open clusters of orange-red flowers over a long season in summertime. Can withstand aridity and neglect, and persists in abandoned gardens. Needs little water and can take full sun to partial shade. |
Lobelia rhombifolia (Tufted Lobelia) This annual is native to southern Australia, and reaches between 2 and 12 inches tall Flowers are violet to blue with a white mark in the center, and sit atop thin, erect stems. Flowers bloom from September through February in their native range. This is considered a rare species on Tasmania. |
Lobelia x speciosa (Lobelia gerardii) This perennial is best in zones 2-9 and 14-17, and it can reach 5 feet tall and a foot wide. Many varieties have red leaves and flowers, though others have green leaves and flowers in scarlet, purple, red, or blue-purple. This species needs rich soil and ample water for best performance and full sun to partial shade. |
Lobelia telekii (Cousin Itt Lobelia) These interesting plants are found in the alpine zones in mountainous areas of East Africa. They typically produce a single rosette of foliage that grows for several decades before flowering and then dying. A very small number of plants in the species are able to produce more than one rosette connected by underground tuber roots. |
Lobelia tupa (Devil's Tobacco) This species grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24, is native to Chile and has a tropical look to it. Plants grow to 6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, have red stems and green leaves. Flowers are a rich, warm red and form in clusters, attracting hummingbirds in droves. Needs a sunny, sheltered placement and rich, well-draining soil. Easy to propagate via division; needs regular water. |
Caring for Lobelia
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 419, Lobelia
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