443 Species of Genus Lobelia

Lobelia | Monsteraholic

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 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

  1. Lobelia aberdarica R.E.Fr. & T.C.E.Fr.
  2. Lobelia acrochila (E.Wimm.) E.B.Knox
  3. Lobelia acuminata Sw.
  4. Lobelia acutidens Hook.f.
  5. Lobelia adnexa E.Wimm.
  6. Lobelia agrestis E.Wimm.
  7. Lobelia aguana E.Wimm.
  8. Lobelia alanae M.A.Pérez-Pérez & T.J.Ayers
  9. Lobelia alsinoides Lam.
  10. Lobelia alticaulis Proctor
  11. Lobelia amoena Michx.
  12. Lobelia anatina E.Wimm.
  13. Lobelia anceps L.f.
  14. Lobelia andrewsii Lammers
  15. Lobelia angulata G.Forst.
  16. Lobelia apalachicolensis D.D.Spauld., Barger & H.E.Horne
  17. Lobelia appendiculata A.DC.
  18. Lobelia aquaemontis E.Wimm.
  19. Lobelia aquatica Cham.
  20. Lobelia archboldiana (Merr. & L.M.Perry) Moeliono
  21. Lobelia archeri N.G.Walsh
  22. Lobelia ardisiandroides Schltr.
  23. Lobelia arnhemiaca E.Wimm.
  24. Lobelia arunachalensis D.Borah, Tangjang & A.P.Das
  25. Lobelia assurgens L.
  26. Lobelia aurita (Brandegee) T.J.Ayers
  27. Lobelia ayersiae Rzed.
  28. Lobelia bambuseti R.E.Fr. & T.C.E.Fr.
  29. Lobelia barkerae E.Wimm.
  30. Lobelia barnsii Exell
  31. Lobelia batsonii Pittman & Sorrie
  32. Lobelia baumannii Engl.
  33. Lobelia beaugleholei Albr.
  34. Lobelia benthamii F.Muell.
  35. Lobelia bequaertii De Wild.
  36. Lobelia berlandieri A.DC.
  37. Lobelia biflora Rzed.
  38. Lobelia bipinnatifida Rzed.
  39. Lobelia blantyrensis E.Wimm.
  40. Lobelia boivinii Sond.
  41. Lobelia boninensis Koidz.
  42. Lobelia borneensis (Hemsl.) Moeliono
  43. Lobelia boykinii Torr. & A.Gray ex A.DC.
  44. Lobelia brachyantha Merr. & L.M.Perry
  45. Lobelia brasiliensis A.O.S.Vieira & G.J.Sheph.
  46. Lobelia brevifolia Nutt. ex A.DC.
  47. Lobelia bridgesii Hook. & Arn.
  48. Lobelia brigittalis E.H.L.Krause
  49. Lobelia bryophila E.Wimm.
  50. Lobelia burttii E.A.Bruce
  51. Lobelia cacuminis Britton & P.Wilson
  52. Lobelia caeciliae E.Wimm.
  53. Lobelia caerulea Sims
  54. Lobelia caledoniana C.D.Adams
  55. Lobelia calochlamys (Donn.Sm.) Wilbur
  56. Lobelia camporum Pohl
  57. Lobelia canbyi A.Gray
  58. Lobelia capillifolia (C.Presl) A.DC.
  59. Lobelia cardinalis L.
  60. Lobelia carens Heenan
  61. Lobelia caudata (Griseb.) Urb.
  62. Lobelia chamaedryfolia (C.Presl) A.DC.
  63. Lobelia chamaepitys Lam.
  64. Lobelia cheranganiensis Thulin
  65. Lobelia chevalieri Danguy
  66. Lobelia chinensis Lour.
  67. Lobelia chireensis A.Rich.
  68. Lobelia christii Urb.
  69. Lobelia circaeoides (C.Presl) A.DC.
  70. Lobelia cirsiifolia Lam.
  71. Lobelia clavata E.Wimm.
  72. Lobelia claviflora Albr. & R.W.Jobson
  73. Lobelia cleistogamoides N.G.Walsh & Albr.
  74. Lobelia cliffortiana L.
  75. Lobelia cobaltica S.Moore
  76. Lobelia cochleariifolia Diels
  77. Lobelia collina Kunth
  78. Lobelia columnaris Hook.f.
  79. Lobelia comosa L.
  80. Lobelia comptonii E.Wimm.
  81. Lobelia concolor R.Br.
  82. Lobelia conferta Merr. & L.M.Perry
  83. Lobelia conglobata Lam.
  84. Lobelia cordifolia Hook. & Arn.
  85. Lobelia corniculata Thulin
  86. Lobelia coronopifolia L.
  87. Lobelia corymbiformis Rzed.
  88. Lobelia cubana Urb.
  89. Lobelia cuneifolia Link & Otto
  90. Lobelia cyanea E.Wimm.
  91. Lobelia cymbalarioides Engl.
  92. Lobelia cyphioides Harv.
  93. Lobelia darlingensis (E.Wimm.) Albr.
  94. Lobelia dasyphylla E.Wimm.
  95. Lobelia davidii Franch.
  96. Lobelia deckenii (Asch.) Hemsl.
  97. Lobelia decurrens Cav.
  98. Lobelia decurrentifolia (Kuntze) K.Schum.
  99. Lobelia deleiensis C.E.C.Fisch.
  100. Lobelia dentata Cav.
  101. Lobelia diastateoides McVaugh
  102. Lobelia diazlunae Rzed. & Calderón
  103. Lobelia dichroma Schltr.
  104. Lobelia dielsiana E.Wimm.
  105. Lobelia digitalifolia (Griseb.) Urb.
  106. Lobelia dioica R.Br.
  107. Lobelia dissecta M.B.Moss
  108. Lobelia divaricata Hook. & Arn.
  109. Lobelia divergens Rzed.
  110. Lobelia djurensis Engl. & Diels
  111. Lobelia dodiana E.Wimm.
  112. Lobelia donanensis P.Royen
  113. Lobelia dopatrioides Kurz
  114. Lobelia dortmanna L.
  115. Lobelia dregeana (C.Presl) A.DC.
  116. Lobelia dressleri Wilbur
  117. Lobelia drungjiangensis D.Y.Hong
  118. Lobelia dunbariae Rock
  119. Lobelia duriprati T.C.E.Fr.
  120. Lobelia eckloniana (C.Presl) D.Dietr.
  121. Lobelia ehrenbergii Vatke
  122. Lobelia ekmanii Urb.
  123. Lobelia elongata Small
  124. Lobelia endlichii (E.Wimm.) T.J.Ayers
  125. Lobelia erectiuscula H.Hara
  126. Lobelia erinus L.
  127. Lobelia erlangeriana Engl.
  128. Lobelia eryliae C.E.C.Fisch.
  129. Lobelia eurypoda E.Wimm.
  130. Lobelia exaltata Pohl
  131. Lobelia excelsa Bonpl.
  132. Lobelia exilis Hochst. ex A.Rich.
  133. Lobelia fangiana (E.Wimm.) S.Y.Hu
  134. Lobelia fastigiata Kunth
  135. Lobelia fatiscens Heenan
  136. Lobelia fawcettii Urb.
  137. Lobelia feayana A.Gray
  138. Lobelia fenestralis Cav.
  139. Lobelia fenshamii N.G.Walsh & Albr.
  140. Lobelia fervens Thunb.
  141. Lobelia filicaulis (C.Presl) Schönland
  142. Lobelia filiformis Lam.
  143. Lobelia filipes E.Wimm.
  144. Lobelia fissiflora N.G.Walsh
  145. Lobelia fistulosa Vell.
  146. Lobelia flaccida (C.Presl) A.DC.
  147. Lobelia flaccidifolia Small
  148. Lobelia flexicaulis Rzed. & Calderón
  149. Lobelia flexuosa (C.Presl) A.DC.
  150. Lobelia floridana Chapm.
  151. Lobelia foliiformis T.J.Zhang & D.Y.Hong
  152. Lobelia fontana Albr. & N.G.Walsh
  153. Lobelia fugax Heenan, Courtney & P.N.Johnson
  154. Lobelia galpinii Schltr.
  155. Lobelia gaoligongshanica D.Y.Hong
  156. Lobelia gattingeri A.Gray
  157. Lobelia gaudichaudii A.DC.
  158. Lobelia gelida F.Muell.
  159. Lobelia georgiana McVaugh
  160. Lobelia ghiesbreghtii Decne.
  161. Lobelia gibbosa Labill.
  162. Lobelia giberroa Hemsl.
  163. Lobelia gilgii Engl.
  164. Lobelia gilletii De Wild.
  165. Lobelia glaberrima Heenan
  166. Lobelia gladiaria McVaugh
  167. Lobelia glandulosa Walter
  168. Lobelia glaucescens E.Wimm.
  169. Lobelia glazioviana Zahlbr.
  170. Lobelia gloria-montis Rock
  171. Lobelia goetzei Diels
  172. Lobelia goldmanii (Fernald) T.J.Ayers
  173. Lobelia gouldii W.Fitzg.
  174. Lobelia gracillima Welw. ex Hiern
  175. Lobelia grandifolia Britton
  176. Lobelia graniticola E.Wimm.
  177. Lobelia grayana E.Wimm.
  178. Lobelia gregoriana Baker f.
  179. Lobelia griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson
  180. Lobelia gruina Cav.
  181. Lobelia guatemalensis (B.L.Rob. ex Donn.Sm.) Wilbur
  182. Lobelia guerrerensis Eakes & Lammers
  183. Lobelia guzmanii Rzed.
  184. Lobelia gypsophila T.J.Ayers
  185. Lobelia hainanensis E.Wimm.
  186. Lobelia harrisii Urb.
  187. Lobelia hartlaubii Buchenau
  188. Lobelia hartwegii Benth. ex A.DC.
  189. Lobelia hassleri Zahlbr.
  190. Lobelia hederacea Cham.
  191. Lobelia henodon E.Wimm.
  192. Lobelia henricksonii M.C.Johnst.
  193. Lobelia hereroensis Schinz
  194. Lobelia heteroclita McVaugh
  195. Lobelia heterophylla Labill.
  196. Lobelia heyneana Schult.
  197. Lobelia hilaireana (Kanitz) E.Wimm.
  198. Lobelia hillebrandii Rock
  199. Lobelia hintoniorum B.L.Turner
  200. Lobelia hirtipes E.Wimm.
  201. Lobelia holotricha E.Wimm.
  202. Lobelia holstii Engl.
  203. Lobelia homophylla E.Wimm.
  204. Lobelia hongiana Q.F.Wang & G.W.Hu
  205. Lobelia horombensis E.Wimm.
  206. Lobelia hotteana Judd & Skean
  207. Lobelia humistrata F.Muell. ex Benth.
  208. Lobelia humpatensis E.Wimm.
  209. Lobelia hypnodes E.Wimm. ex McVaugh
  210. Lobelia hypoleuca Hillebr.
  211. Lobelia hypsibata E.Wimm.
  212. Lobelia illota McVaugh
  213. Lobelia imberbis (Griseb.) Urb.
  214. Lobelia inconspicua A.Rich.
  215. Lobelia inflata L.
  216. Lobelia innominata Rendle
  217. Lobelia intercedens (E.Wimm.) Thulin
  218. Lobelia irasuensis Planch. & Oerst.
  219. Lobelia irrigua R.Br.
  220. Lobelia iteophylla C.Y.Wu
  221. Lobelia jaliscensis McVaugh
  222. Lobelia jasionoides (A.DC.) E.Wimm.
  223. Lobelia kalmii L.
  224. Lobelia kalobaensis E.Wimm. ex Thulin
  225. Lobelia × kauaensis (A.Gray) A.Heller
  226. Lobelia kirkii R.E.Fr.
  227. Lobelia knoblochii T.J.Ayers
  228. Lobelia koolauensis (Hosaka & Fosberg) Lammers
  229. Lobelia kraussii Graham
  230. Lobelia kundelungensis Thulin
  231. Lobelia lammersiana P.Biju, Josekutty & Augustine
  232. Lobelia langeana Dusén
  233. Lobelia lasiocalycina E.Wimm.
  234. Lobelia laurentioides Schltr.
  235. Lobelia laxa MacOwan
  236. Lobelia laxiflora Kunth
  237. Lobelia leichhardii E.Wimm.
  238. Lobelia lepida E.Wimm.
  239. Lobelia leschenaultiana (C.Presl) Skottsb.
  240. Lobelia leucotos Albr.
  241. Lobelia limosa (Adamson) E.Wimm.
  242. Lobelia linarioides (C.Presl) A.DC.
  243. Lobelia lindblomii Mildbr.
  244. Lobelia linearis Thunb.
  245. Lobelia lingulata E.Wimm.
  246. Lobelia linnaeoides (Hook.f.) Petrie
  247. Lobelia lisowskii Thulin
  248. Lobelia lithophila Senterre & Cast.-Campos
  249. Lobelia livingstoniana R.E.Fr.
  250. Lobelia lobata E.Wimm.
  251. Lobelia longicaulis Brandegee
  252. Lobelia longipedicellata C.E.C.Fisch.
  253. Lobelia longisepala Engl.
  254. Lobelia loochooensis Koidz.
  255. Lobelia lucayana Britton & Millsp.
  256. Lobelia lukwangulensis Engl.
  257. Lobelia luruniensis E.Wimm.
  258. Lobelia luzoniensis (Pers.) Merr.
  259. Lobelia macdonaldii B.L.Turner
  260. Lobelia macrocentron (Benth.) T.J.Ayers
  261. Lobelia macrodon (Hook.f.) Lammers
  262. Lobelia malowensis E.Wimm.
  263. Lobelia margarita E.Wimm.
  264. Lobelia martagon (Griseb.) Hitchc.
  265. Lobelia mcvaughii T.J.Ayers
  266. Lobelia melliana E.Wimm.
  267. Lobelia membranacea R.Br.
  268. Lobelia mexicana E.Wimm.
  269. Lobelia mezlerioides E.Wimm.
  270. Lobelia mildbraedii Engl.
  271. Lobelia minutula Engl.
  272. Lobelia modesta Wedd.
  273. Lobelia molleri Henriq.
  274. Lobelia monostachya (Rock) Lammers
  275. Lobelia montana Reinw. ex Blume
  276. Lobelia morogoroensis E.B.Knox & Pócs
  277. Lobelia muscoides Cham.
  278. Lobelia nana Kunth
  279. Lobelia neglecta Schult.
  280. Lobelia neumannii T.C.E.Fr.
  281. Lobelia nicotianifolia Roth
  282. Lobelia niihauensis H.St.John
  283. Lobelia nubicola McVaugh
  284. Lobelia nubigena J.Anthony
  285. Lobelia nugax E.Wimm.
  286. Lobelia nummularia Lam.
  287. Lobelia nummularioides Cham.
  288. Lobelia nuttallii Schult.
  289. Lobelia oahuensis Rock
  290. Lobelia oaxacana Rzed.
  291. Lobelia obconica E.Wimm.
  292. Lobelia occidentalis McVaugh & Huft
  293. Lobelia oligophylla (Wedd.) Lammers
  294. Lobelia oreas E.Wimm.
  295. Lobelia organensis Gardner
  296. Lobelia orientalis Rzed. & Calderón
  297. Lobelia origenes Lammers
  298. Lobelia ovina E.Wimm.
  299. Lobelia oxyphylla Urb.
  300. Lobelia pachytricha Albr. & N.G.Walsh
  301. Lobelia paludigena Thulin
  302. Lobelia paludosa Nutt.
  303. Lobelia paranaensis R.Braga
  304. Lobelia parva Badré & Cadet
  305. Lobelia parvidentata L.O.Williams
  306. Lobelia parvisepala E.Wimm.
  307. Lobelia patula L.f.
  308. Lobelia pedunculata R.Br.
  309. Lobelia pentheri E.Wimm.
  310. Lobelia perpusilla Hook.f.
  311. Lobelia perrieri E.Wimm.
  312. Lobelia persicifolia Lam.
  313. Lobelia petiolata Hauman
  314. Lobelia philippinensis Skottsb.
  315. Lobelia physaloides A.Cunn.
  316. Lobelia pinifolia L.
  317. Lobelia plebeia E.Wimm.
  318. Lobelia pleotricha Diels
  319. Lobelia poetica E.Wimm.
  320. Lobelia polyphylla Hook. & Arn.
  321. Lobelia porphyrea Rzed. & Calderón
  322. Lobelia portoricensis (Vatke) Urb.
  323. Lobelia pratioides Benth.
  324. Lobelia preslii A.DC.
  325. Lobelia pringlei S.Watson
  326. Lobelia proctorii Argent & P.Wilkie
  327. Lobelia psilostoma E.Wimm.
  328. Lobelia pteropoda (C.Presl) A.DC.
  329. Lobelia puberula Michx.
  330. Lobelia pubescens Aiton
  331. Lobelia pulchella Vatke
  332. Lobelia purpurascens R.Br.
  333. Lobelia purpusii Brandegee
  334. Lobelia pyramidalis Wall.
  335. Lobelia quadrangularis R.Br.
  336. Lobelia quadrisepala (R.D.Good) E.Wimm.
  337. Lobelia quarreana E.Wimm.
  338. Lobelia quiexobrae Rzed.
  339. Lobelia rarifolia E.Wimm.
  340. Lobelia reinekeana E.Wimm.
  341. Lobelia reinwardtiana (C.Presl) A.DC.
  342. Lobelia remyi Rock
  343. Lobelia reniformis Cham.
  344. Lobelia reptans W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
  345. Lobelia reverchonii B.L.Turner
  346. Lobelia rhombifolia de Vriese
  347. Lobelia rhynchopetalum Hemsl.
  348. Lobelia rhytidosperma Benth.
  349. Lobelia ritabeaniana E.B.Knox
  350. Lobelia rivalis E.Wimm.
  351. Lobelia robusta Graham
  352. Lobelia × rogersii Bowden
  353. Lobelia rosalindae Rzed.
  354. Lobelia rosea Wall.
  355. Lobelia rotundifolia Juss. ex A.DC.
  356. Lobelia roughii Hook.f.
  357. Lobelia rubescens De Wild.
  358. Lobelia rzedowskii Art.Castro & I.Gut.
  359. Lobelia salicina Lam.
  360. Lobelia sancta Thulin
  361. Lobelia santa-luciae Rendle
  362. Lobelia santos-limae Brade
  363. Lobelia sapinii De Wild.
  364. Lobelia sartorii Vatke
  365. Lobelia saturninoi Art.Castro & I.Gut.
  366. Lobelia scebelii Chiov.
  367. Lobelia schimperi Hochst. ex A.Rich.
  368. Lobelia scrobiculata E.Wimm.
  369. Lobelia seguinii H.Lév. & Vaniot
  370. Lobelia serpens Lam.
  371. Lobelia serratifolia W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
  372. Lobelia sessilifolia Lamb.
  373. Lobelia setacea Thunb.
  374. Lobelia setulosa E.Wimm.
  375. Lobelia shaferi Urb.
  376. Lobelia simplicicaulis R.Br.
  377. Lobelia simulans N.G.Walsh
  378. Lobelia sinaloae Sprague
  379. Lobelia siphilitica L.
  380. Lobelia solaris E.Wimm.
  381. Lobelia sonderiana (Kuntze) Lammers
  382. Lobelia spathopetala Diels
  383. Lobelia × speciosa Sweet
  384. Lobelia spicata Lam.
  385. Lobelia standleyi McVaugh
  386. Lobelia stenocarpa E.Wimm.
  387. Lobelia stenodonta (Fernald) McVaugh
  388. Lobelia stenophylla Benth.
  389. Lobelia stenosiphon (Adamson) E.Wimm.
  390. Lobelia stolonifera Donn.Sm.
  391. Lobelia stricklandiae Gilliland
  392. Lobelia stricta Sw.
  393. Lobelia stuhlmannii Schweinf. ex Stuhlmann
  394. Lobelia sublibera S.Watson
  395. Lobelia subnuda Benth.
  396. Lobelia subpubera Wedd.
  397. Lobelia subscaposa Rzed.
  398. Lobelia sulawesiensis Lammers
  399. Lobelia sumatrana Merr.
  400. Lobelia surrepens Hook.f.
  401. Lobelia sutherlandii E.Wimm.
  402. Lobelia taliensis Diels
  403. Lobelia tarsophora Seaton ex Greenm.
  404. Lobelia tatea (E.Wimm.) E.Wimm.
  405. Lobelia telekii Schweinf.
  406. Lobelia telephioides (C.Presl) A.DC.
  407. Lobelia tenera Kunth
  408. Lobelia tenuior R.Br.
  409. Lobelia terminalis C.B.Clarke
  410. Lobelia thapsoidea Schott ex Pohl
  411. Lobelia thermalis Thunb.
  412. Lobelia thorelii E.Wimm.
  413. Lobelia thuliniana E.B.Knox
  414. Lobelia tomentosa L.f.
  415. Lobelia trigonocaulis F.Muell.
  416. Lobelia tripartita Thulin
  417. Lobelia trullifolia Hemsl.
  418. Lobelia tupa L.
  419. Lobelia udzungwensis Thulin
  420. Lobelia uliginosa E.Wimm.
  421. Lobelia umbellifera McVaugh
  422. Lobelia urens L.
  423. Lobelia vagans Balf.f.
  424. Lobelia valida L.Bolus
  425. Lobelia vanreenensis (Kuntze) K.Schum.
  426. Lobelia victoriensis P.Royen
  427. Lobelia villaregalis T.J.Ayers
  428. Lobelia villosa (Rock) H.St.John & Hosaka
  429. Lobelia viridiflora McVaugh
  430. Lobelia vivaldii Lammers & Proctor
  431. Lobelia volcanica T.J.Ayers
  432. Lobelia wahiawa Lammers
  433. Lobelia walkeri (C.B.Clarke) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes
  434. Lobelia welwitschii Engl. & Diels
  435. Lobelia wilmsiana Diels
  436. Lobelia winifrediae Diels
  437. Lobelia wollastonii Baker f.
  438. Lobelia xalapensis Kunth
  439. Lobelia xongorolana E.Wimm.
  440. Lobelia yucatana E.Wimm.
  441. Lobelia yuccoides Hillebr.
  442. Lobelia zelayensis Wilbur
  443. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Soil: They like well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Ensuring good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
  3. Watering: Regular watering is essential. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.
  4. 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

  1. Pests: Lobelia can be susceptible to aphids and spider mites. Regular inspections and proper care can help manage these issues.
  2. Winter Care: For perennial varieties, applying mulch around the base can help protect the roots during winter months.
  3. 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.

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