443 Species in Genus Lobelia

May 18 – Lobelia
"Lobelia, the vibrant flower, defines May 18."
Lobelia represents enthusiasm and versatility. You have a dynamic personality, flourishing in diverse environments. Like this plant, your adaptability and energy are your standout traits.

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FAQs About Lobelia: Everything You Need to Know

Lobelia is a strikingly beautiful plant that has won my admiration over the years. Its vibrant blue and purple flowers have a way of brightening up any garden or container. However, with its beauty comes a set of questions that many gardeners, including myself, often find themselves pondering. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the most frequently asked questions about Lobelia, based on my experiences and observations.

What Is Lobelia?

Lobelia belong to the Campanulaceae family, is a genus of flowering plants that includes both annuals and perennials. It’s known for its cascading growth habit and vibrant blooms, making it a popular choice for hanging baskets, containers, and garden beds. The most common species used in gardens are Lobelia erinus and Lobelia cardinalis. While Lobelia erinus is typically grown as an annual, Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial that can bring color to your garden year after year.

Lobelia species

Lobelia aberdarica R.E.Fr. & T.C.E.Fr.
Lobelia acrochila (E.Wimm.) E.B.Knox
Lobelia acuminata Sw.
Lobelia acutidens Hook.f.
Lobelia adnexa E.Wimm.
Lobelia agrestis E.Wimm.
Lobelia aguana E.Wimm.
Lobelia alanae M.A.Pérez-Pérez & T.J.Ayers
Lobelia alsinoides Lam.
Lobelia alticaulis Proctor
Lobelia amoena Michx.
Lobelia anatina E.Wimm.
Lobelia anceps L.f.
Lobelia andrewsii Lammers
Lobelia angulata G.Forst.
Lobelia apalachicolensis D.D.Spauld., Barger & H.E.Horne
Lobelia appendiculata A.DC.
Lobelia aquaemontis E.Wimm.
Lobelia aquatica Cham.
Lobelia archboldiana (Merr. & L.M.Perry) Moeliono
Lobelia archeri N.G.Walsh
Lobelia ardisiandroides Schltr.
Lobelia arnhemiaca E.Wimm.
Lobelia arunachalensis D.Borah, Tangjang & A.P.Das
Lobelia assurgens L.
Lobelia aurita (Brandegee) T.J.Ayers
Lobelia ayersiae Rzed.
Lobelia bambuseti R.E.Fr. & T.C.E.Fr.
Lobelia barkerae E.Wimm.
Lobelia barnsii Exell
Lobelia batsonii Pittman & Sorrie
Lobelia baumannii Engl.
Lobelia beaugleholei Albr.
Lobelia benthamii F.Muell.
Lobelia bequaertii De Wild.
Lobelia berlandieri A.DC.
Lobelia biflora Rzed.
Lobelia bipinnatifida Rzed.
Lobelia blantyrensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia boivinii Sond.
Lobelia boninensis Koidz.
Lobelia borneensis (Hemsl.) Moeliono
Lobelia boykinii Torr. & A.Gray ex A.DC.
Lobelia brachyantha Merr. & L.M.Perry
Lobelia brasiliensis A.O.S.Vieira & G.J.Sheph.
Lobelia brevifolia Nutt. ex A.DC.
Lobelia bridgesii Hook. & Arn.
Lobelia brigittalis E.H.L.Krause
Lobelia bryophila E.Wimm.
Lobelia burttii E.A.Bruce
Lobelia cacuminis Britton & P.Wilson
Lobelia caeciliae E.Wimm.
Lobelia caerulea Sims
Lobelia caledoniana C.D.Adams
Lobelia calochlamys (Donn.Sm.) Wilbur
Lobelia camporum Pohl
Lobelia canbyi A.Gray
Lobelia capillifolia (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia cardinalis L. Plant FAQs: Cardinal Flower – Lobelia Cardinalis
Lobelia carens Heenan
Lobelia caudata (Griseb.) Urb.
Lobelia chamaedryfolia (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia chamaepitys Lam.
Lobelia cheranganiensis Thulin
Lobelia chevalieri Danguy
Lobelia chinensis Lour.
Lobelia chireensis A.Rich.
Lobelia christii Urb.
Lobelia circaeoides (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia cirsiifolia Lam.
Lobelia clavata E.Wimm.
Lobelia claviflora Albr. & R.W.Jobson
Lobelia cleistogamoides N.G.Walsh & Albr.
Lobelia cliffortiana L.
Lobelia cobaltica S.Moore
Lobelia cochleariifolia Diels
Lobelia collina Kunth
Lobelia columnaris Hook.f.
Lobelia comosa L.
Lobelia comptonii E.Wimm.
Lobelia concolor R.Br.
Lobelia conferta Merr. & L.M.Perry
Lobelia conglobata Lam.
Lobelia cordifolia Hook. & Arn.
Lobelia corniculata Thulin
Lobelia coronopifolia L.
Lobelia corymbiformis Rzed.
Lobelia cubana Urb.
Lobelia cuneifolia Link & Otto
Lobelia cyanea E.Wimm.
Lobelia cymbalarioides Engl.
Lobelia cyphioides Harv.
Lobelia darlingensis (E.Wimm.) Albr.
Lobelia dasyphylla E.Wimm.
Lobelia davidii Franch.
Lobelia deckenii (Asch.) Hemsl. Plant FAQs: Lobelia Deckenii
Lobelia decurrens Cav.
Lobelia decurrentifolia (Kuntze) K.Schum.
Lobelia deleiensis C.E.C.Fisch.
Lobelia dentata Cav.
Lobelia diastateoides McVaugh
Lobelia diazlunae Rzed. & Calderón
Lobelia dichroma Schltr.
Lobelia dielsiana E.Wimm.
Lobelia digitalifolia (Griseb.) Urb.
Lobelia dioica R.Br.
Lobelia dissecta M.B.Moss
Lobelia divaricata Hook. & Arn.
Lobelia divergens Rzed.
Lobelia djurensis Engl. & Diels
Lobelia dodiana E.Wimm.
Lobelia donanensis P.Royen
Lobelia dopatrioides Kurz
Lobelia dortmanna L.
Lobelia dregeana (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia dressleri Wilbur
Lobelia drungjiangensis D.Y.Hong
Lobelia dunbariae Rock
Lobelia duriprati T.C.E.Fr.
Lobelia eckloniana (C.Presl) D.Dietr.
Lobelia ehrenbergii Vatke
Lobelia ekmanii Urb.
Lobelia elongata Small
Lobelia endlichii (E.Wimm.) T.J.Ayers
Lobelia erectiuscula H.Hara
Lobelia erinus L. Plant FAQs: Lobelia Erinus
Lobelia erlangeriana Engl.
Lobelia eryliae C.E.C.Fisch.
Lobelia eurypoda E.Wimm.
Lobelia exaltata Pohl
Lobelia excelsa Bonpl.
Lobelia exilis Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Lobelia fangiana (E.Wimm.) S.Y.Hu
Lobelia fastigiata Kunth
Lobelia fatiscens Heenan
Lobelia fawcettii Urb.
Lobelia feayana A.Gray
Lobelia fenestralis Cav.
Lobelia fenshamii N.G.Walsh & Albr.
Lobelia fervens Thunb.
Lobelia filicaulis (C.Presl) Schönland
Lobelia filiformis Lam.
Lobelia filipes E.Wimm.
Lobelia fissiflora N.G.Walsh
Lobelia fistulosa Vell.
Lobelia flaccida (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia flaccidifolia Small
Lobelia flexicaulis Rzed. & Calderón
Lobelia flexuosa (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia floridana Chapm.
Lobelia foliiformis T.J.Zhang & D.Y.Hong
Lobelia fontana Albr. & N.G.Walsh
Lobelia fugax Heenan, Courtney & P.N.Johnson
Lobelia galpinii Schltr.
Lobelia gaoligongshanica D.Y.Hong
Lobelia gattingeri A.Gray
Lobelia gaudichaudii A.DC.
Lobelia gelida F.Muell.
Lobelia georgiana McVaugh
Lobelia ghiesbreghtii Decne.
Lobelia gibbosa Labill.
Lobelia giberroa Hemsl.
Lobelia gilgii Engl.
Lobelia gilletii De Wild.
Lobelia glaberrima Heenan
Lobelia gladiaria McVaugh
Lobelia glandulosa Walter
Lobelia glaucescens E.Wimm.
Lobelia glazioviana Zahlbr.
Lobelia gloria-montis Rock
Lobelia goetzei Diels
Lobelia goldmanii (Fernald) T.J.Ayers
Lobelia gouldii W.Fitzg.
Lobelia gracillima Welw. ex Hiern
Lobelia grandifolia Britton
Lobelia graniticola E.Wimm.
Lobelia grayana E.Wimm.
Lobelia gregoriana Baker f.
Lobelia griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson
Lobelia gruina Cav.
Lobelia guatemalensis (B.L.Rob. ex Donn.Sm.) Wilbur
Lobelia guerrerensis Eakes & Lammers
Lobelia guzmanii Rzed.
Lobelia gypsophila T.J.Ayers
Lobelia hainanensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia harrisii Urb.
Lobelia hartlaubii Buchenau
Lobelia hartwegii Benth. ex A.DC.
Lobelia hassleri Zahlbr.
Lobelia hederacea Cham.
Lobelia henodon E.Wimm.
Lobelia henricksonii M.C.Johnst.
Lobelia hereroensis Schinz
Lobelia heteroclita McVaugh
Lobelia heterophylla Labill.
Lobelia heyneana Schult.
Lobelia hilaireana (Kanitz) E.Wimm.
Lobelia hillebrandii Rock
Lobelia hintoniorum B.L.Turner
Lobelia hirtipes E.Wimm.
Lobelia holotricha E.Wimm.
Lobelia holstii Engl.
Lobelia homophylla E.Wimm.
Lobelia hongiana Q.F.Wang & G.W.Hu
Lobelia horombensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia hotteana Judd & Skean
Lobelia humistrata F.Muell. ex Benth.
Lobelia humpatensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia hypnodes E.Wimm. ex McVaugh
Lobelia hypoleuca Hillebr.
Lobelia hypsibata E.Wimm.
Lobelia illota McVaugh
Lobelia imberbis (Griseb.) Urb.
Lobelia inconspicua A.Rich.
Lobelia inflata L. Plant FAQs: Lobelia Inflata – Indian Tobacco
Lobelia innominata Rendle
Lobelia intercedens (E.Wimm.) Thulin
Lobelia irasuensis Planch. & Oerst.
Lobelia irrigua R.Br.
Lobelia iteophylla C.Y.Wu
Lobelia jaliscensis McVaugh
Lobelia jasionoides (A.DC.) E.Wimm.
Lobelia kalmii L.
Lobelia kalobaensis E.Wimm. ex Thulin
Lobelia × kauaensis (A.Gray) A.Heller
Lobelia kirkii R.E.Fr.
Lobelia knoblochii T.J.Ayers
Lobelia koolauensis (Hosaka & Fosberg) Lammers
Lobelia kraussii Graham
Lobelia kundelungensis Thulin
Lobelia lammersiana P.Biju, Josekutty & Augustine
Lobelia langeana Dusén
Lobelia lasiocalycina E.Wimm.
Lobelia laurentioides Schltr.
Lobelia laxa MacOwan
Lobelia laxiflora Kunth
Lobelia leichhardii E.Wimm.
Lobelia lepida E.Wimm.
Lobelia leschenaultiana (C.Presl) Skottsb.
Lobelia leucotos Albr.
Lobelia limosa (Adamson) E.Wimm.
Lobelia linarioides (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia lindblomii Mildbr.
Lobelia linearis Thunb.
Lobelia lingulata E.Wimm.
Lobelia linnaeoides (Hook.f.) Petrie
Lobelia lisowskii Thulin
Lobelia lithophila Senterre & Cast.-Campos
Lobelia livingstoniana R.E.Fr.
Lobelia lobata E.Wimm.
Lobelia longicaulis Brandegee
Lobelia longipedicellata C.E.C.Fisch.
Lobelia longisepala Engl.
Lobelia loochooensis Koidz.
Lobelia lucayana Britton & Millsp.
Lobelia lukwangulensis Engl.
Lobelia luruniensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia luzoniensis (Pers.) Merr.
Lobelia macdonaldii B.L.Turner
Lobelia macrocentron (Benth.) T.J.Ayers
Lobelia macrodon (Hook.f.) Lammers
Lobelia malowensis E.Wimm.
Lobelia margarita E.Wimm.
Lobelia martagon (Griseb.) Hitchc.
Lobelia mcvaughii T.J.Ayers
Lobelia melliana E.Wimm.
Lobelia membranacea R.Br.
Lobelia mexicana E.Wimm.
Lobelia mezlerioides E.Wimm.
Lobelia mildbraedii Engl.
Lobelia minutula Engl.
Lobelia modesta Wedd.
Lobelia molleri Henriq.
Lobelia monostachya (Rock) Lammers
Lobelia montana Reinw. ex Blume
Lobelia morogoroensis E.B.Knox & Pócs
Lobelia muscoides Cham.
Lobelia nana Kunth
Lobelia neglecta Schult.
Lobelia neumannii T.C.E.Fr.
Lobelia nicotianifolia Roth
Lobelia niihauensis H.St.John
Lobelia nubicola McVaugh
Lobelia nubigena J.Anthony
Lobelia nugax E.Wimm.
Lobelia nummularia Lam.
Lobelia nummularioides Cham.
Lobelia nuttallii Schult.
Lobelia oahuensis Rock
Lobelia oaxacana Rzed.
Lobelia obconica E.Wimm.
Lobelia occidentalis McVaugh & Huft
Lobelia oligophylla (Wedd.) Lammers
Lobelia oreas E.Wimm.
Lobelia organensis Gardner
Lobelia orientalis Rzed. & Calderón
Lobelia origenes Lammers
Lobelia ovina E.Wimm.
Lobelia oxyphylla Urb.
Lobelia pachytricha Albr. & N.G.Walsh
Lobelia paludigena Thulin
Lobelia paludosa Nutt.
Lobelia paranaensis R.Braga
Lobelia parva Badré & Cadet
Lobelia parvidentata L.O.Williams
Lobelia parvisepala E.Wimm.
Lobelia patula L.f.
Lobelia pedunculata R.Br.
Lobelia pentheri E.Wimm.
Lobelia perpusilla Hook.f.
Lobelia perrieri E.Wimm.
Lobelia persicifolia Lam.
Lobelia petiolata Hauman
Lobelia philippinensis Skottsb.
Lobelia physaloides A.Cunn.
Lobelia pinifolia L.
Lobelia plebeia E.Wimm.
Lobelia pleotricha Diels
Lobelia poetica E.Wimm.
Lobelia polyphylla Hook. & Arn.
Lobelia porphyrea Rzed. & Calderón
Lobelia portoricensis (Vatke) Urb.
Lobelia pratioides Benth.
Lobelia preslii A.DC.
Lobelia pringlei S.Watson
Lobelia proctorii Argent & P.Wilkie
Lobelia psilostoma E.Wimm.
Lobelia pteropoda (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia puberula Michx.
Lobelia pubescens Aiton
Lobelia pulchella Vatke
Lobelia purpurascens R.Br.
Lobelia purpusii Brandegee
Lobelia pyramidalis Wall.
Lobelia quadrangularis R.Br.
Lobelia quadrisepala (R.D.Good) E.Wimm.
Lobelia quarreana E.Wimm.
Lobelia quiexobrae Rzed.
Lobelia rarifolia E.Wimm.
Lobelia reinekeana E.Wimm.
Lobelia reinwardtiana (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia remyi Rock
Lobelia reniformis Cham.
Lobelia reptans W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
Lobelia reverchonii B.L.Turner
Lobelia rhombifolia de Vriese
Lobelia rhynchopetalum Hemsl.
Lobelia rhytidosperma Benth.
Lobelia ritabeaniana E.B.Knox
Lobelia rivalis E.Wimm.
Lobelia robusta Graham
Lobelia × rogersii Bowden
Lobelia rosalindae Rzed.
Lobelia rosea Wall.
Lobelia rotundifolia Juss. ex A.DC.
Lobelia roughii Hook.f.
Lobelia rubescens De Wild.
Lobelia rzedowskii Art.Castro & I.Gut.
Lobelia salicina Lam.
Lobelia sancta Thulin
Lobelia santa-luciae Rendle
Lobelia santos-limae Brade
Lobelia sapinii De Wild.
Lobelia sartorii Vatke
Lobelia saturninoi Art.Castro & I.Gut.
Lobelia scebelii Chiov.
Lobelia schimperi Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Lobelia scrobiculata E.Wimm.
Lobelia seguinii H.Lév. & Vaniot
Lobelia serpens Lam.
Lobelia serratifolia W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
Lobelia sessilifolia Lamb.
Lobelia setacea Thunb.
Lobelia setulosa E.Wimm.
Lobelia shaferi Urb.
Lobelia simplicicaulis R.Br.
Lobelia simulans N.G.Walsh
Lobelia sinaloae Sprague
Lobelia siphilitica L. Plant FAQs: Great Blue Lobelia – Lobelia Siphilitica
Lobelia solaris E.Wimm.
Lobelia sonderiana (Kuntze) Lammers
Lobelia spathopetala Diels
Lobelia × speciosa Sweet
Lobelia spicata Lam.
Lobelia standleyi McVaugh
Lobelia stenocarpa E.Wimm.
Lobelia stenodonta (Fernald) McVaugh
Lobelia stenophylla Benth.
Lobelia stenosiphon (Adamson) E.Wimm.
Lobelia stolonifera Donn.Sm.
Lobelia stricklandiae Gilliland
Lobelia stricta Sw.
Lobelia stuhlmannii Schweinf. ex Stuhlmann
Lobelia sublibera S.Watson
Lobelia subnuda Benth.
Lobelia subpubera Wedd.
Lobelia subscaposa Rzed.
Lobelia sulawesiensis Lammers
Lobelia sumatrana Merr.
Lobelia surrepens Hook.f.
Lobelia sutherlandii E.Wimm.
Lobelia taliensis Diels
Lobelia tarsophora Seaton ex Greenm.
Lobelia tatea (E.Wimm.) E.Wimm.
Lobelia telekii Schweinf.
Lobelia telephioides (C.Presl) A.DC.
Lobelia tenera Kunth
Lobelia tenuior R.Br.
Lobelia terminalis C.B.Clarke
Lobelia thapsoidea Schott ex Pohl
Lobelia thermalis Thunb.
Lobelia thorelii E.Wimm.
Lobelia thuliniana E.B.Knox
Lobelia tomentosa L.f.
Lobelia trigonocaulis F.Muell.
Lobelia tripartita Thulin
Lobelia trullifolia Hemsl.
Lobelia tupa L.
Lobelia udzungwensis Thulin
Lobelia uliginosa E.Wimm.
Lobelia umbellifera McVaugh
Lobelia urens L.
Lobelia vagans Balf.f.
Lobelia valida L.Bolus
Lobelia vanreenensis (Kuntze) K.Schum.
Lobelia victoriensis P.Royen
Lobelia villaregalis T.J.Ayers
Lobelia villosa (Rock) H.St.John & Hosaka
Lobelia viridiflora McVaugh
Lobelia vivaldii Lammers & Proctor
Lobelia volcanica T.J.Ayers
Lobelia wahiawa Lammers
Lobelia walkeri (C.B.Clarke) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
Lobelia welwitschii Engl. & Diels
Lobelia wilmsiana Diels
Lobelia winifrediae Diels
Lobelia wollastonii Baker f.
Lobelia xalapensis Kunth
Lobelia xongorolana E.Wimm.
Lobelia yucatana E.Wimm.
Lobelia yuccoides Hillebr.
Lobelia zelayensis Wilbur
Lobelia zeylanica L.

Is Lobelia a Perennial?

The answer depends on the species. Lobelia erinus, commonly known as trailing Lobelia, is generally grown as an annual. It doesn’t survive frost and needs to be replanted each year. On the other hand, Lobelia cardinalis, also known as cardinal flower, is a perennial. It can come back each year and provide reliable color in your garden.

How to Care for Lobelia?

Caring for Lobelia involves a few simple steps that can ensure it thrives throughout its growing season:

Light Requirements: Lobelia typically prefers cooler temperatures and can tolerate partial shade. However, some varieties, like Lobelia erinus, can thrive in full sun as long as they receive consistent moisture.
Soil: They like well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Ensuring good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Watering: Regular watering is essential. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizing: A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer applied monthly can help promote healthy growth and blooming.

How to Deadhead Lobelia?

Deadheading is important for prolonging the blooming period of Lobelia. Simply remove the spent flowers by pinching them off or cutting them back to the base. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms and helps maintain its tidy appearance.

Do Lobelia Like Sun or Shade?

Lobelia’s preference for sun or shade can vary based on the species. Lobelia erinus thrives in full sun to partial shade, while Lobelia cardinalis tends to do better in partial shade to full shade. Understanding the specific needs of the variety you are growing will help you place it in the ideal location.

How to Keep Lobelia Blooming All Summer?

To keep Lobelia blooming all summer, ensure that it receives adequate water and nutrients. Regular deadheading is also crucial. In addition, providing some shade during the hottest parts of the day can help prevent the plants from going dormant in extreme heat.

Is Lobelia Deer Resistant?

Yes, Lobelia is generally considered deer resistant. Deer tend to avoid plants with strong fragrances or those that are toxic. However, in times of food scarcity, deer might nibble on almost anything, so it’s not a guarantee.

Do Deer Eat Lobelia?

While Lobelia is deer resistant, it’s not completely immune. In my experience, deer will sometimes munch on it if other food sources are scarce. Using deer repellents or physical barriers can help protect your Lobelia if deer are a persistent problem in your area.

Do Rabbits Eat Lobelia?

Rabbits are less likely to eat Lobelia compared to other garden plants. However, they can still be a nuisance if food sources are limited. Implementing deterrents or fencing might be necessary if you notice rabbit activity.

Is Lobelia Poisonous to Dogs?

Lobelia is indeed considered toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Keeping Lobelia out of reach of pets or choosing pet-safe plants might be a wise choice if you have dogs.

Is Lobelia Poisonous to Cats?

Similar to dogs, Lobelia is toxic to cats. It can cause gastrointestinal upset and other symptoms if ingested. As with dogs, it’s best to place Lobelia in areas inaccessible to your feline friends.

Do Hummingbirds Like Lobelia?

Absolutely! Lobelia’s vibrant blue and purple flowers attract hummingbirds, making it a great addition to a garden designed to attract these beautiful birds. The tubular shape of the flowers is particularly appealing to hummingbirds.

Lobelia vs Lithodora

When comparing Lobelia to Lithodora, both are great choices for ground cover and containers, but they have some differences. Lobelia has a more trailing habit and can handle a bit more sun, while Lithodora is known for its brilliant blue flowers and prefers cooler conditions and partial shade. Both attract pollinators, but the choice between them might come down to your specific garden conditions and aesthetic preferences.

Additional Tips and Common Problems

Pests: Lobelia can be susceptible to aphids and spider mites. Regular inspections and proper care can help manage these issues.
Winter Care: For perennial varieties, applying mulch around the base can help protect the roots during winter months.
Propagation: Lobelia can be propagated from seeds or by taking cuttings. For annuals, starting seeds indoors early can give you a head start on the growing season.

Lobelia is a versatile and beautiful plant that, with the right care, can enhance any garden or container. Whether you’re dealing with pests, wondering about deer resistance, or just trying to keep it blooming, understanding these aspects can make your gardening experience more rewarding.