Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants that includes hundreds of species. They are found in temperate and tropical climates around the world. Most lobelia plants are annuals or perennials, and they produce colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. The foliage is usually lance-shaped and may be either smooth or hairy. Lobelia plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They are popular in gardens and containers due to their colorful flowers and easy maintenance.
Planning Your Garden With Lobelia
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Lobelia is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Lobelia is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Lobelia is generally considered to be frost-tolerant, withstanding temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for lobelia is 60-70 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown lobelia plant is between 6 and 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Lobelia plants should be spaced 12-18 inches apart for optimal growth. |
| Sun tolerance | Lobelia is generally tolerant of full sun, but it prefers partial shade or filtered sunlight in hotter climates. |
| Shade tolerance | Lobelia is tolerant of partial shade, but it prefers full sun. It can tolerate some shade, but it will produce fewer flowers when grown in shady areas. |
| Water requirements | Lobelia prefers moist soil, but it should not be soggy. Water the plants regularly, but do not over-water. During the growing season, the soil should be kept evenly moist, but not wet. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing lobelia depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing lobelia is 6.0-7.0. |
Why Lobelia is Popular
People like to grow lobelia because it is a beautiful, low-maintenance flowering plant that adds texture and color to gardens. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, which can make a garden more enjoyable to observe.
Companion Plants For Lobelia
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for lobelia include:
Common Pests For Lobelia
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow lobelia, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- slugs
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
