1.3k gardener saves
Lobelia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 45 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Lobelia varieties
Of 45 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
#2 most savedHybrid Cardinal Flower
Lobelia x speciosa 'Compliment Violet'
#3 most savedFan Cinnabar Rose Lobelia
Lobelia x speciosa 'Fan Cinnabar Rose'
Lilac Candles Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica 'Lilac Candles'
Cardinal Flower Deep Rose
Lobelia cardinalis 'Deep Rose'
Cardinal Flower 'Black Truffle'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle'
Laguna Dark Blue Lobelia
Lobelia erinus 'Laguna Dark Blue'
White Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis 'Perrys White'
Pink Elephant Lobelia
Lobelia x hybrida 'Pink Elephant'
Blue Lobelia Lobelia speciosa STARSHIP
Lobelia speciosa 'STARSHIP Blue'
Compliment Blue Lobelia
Lobelia x speciosa 'Compliment Blue'
Compliment Deep Red Lobelia
Lobelia speciosa 'Compliment Deep Red'
Browse all 45 Lobelia varieties →
How to grow Lobelia
What the Lobelia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lobelia year
- FertilizeApril–August60% of varieties
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, especially in containers
- DivideMarch60% of varieties
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring or fall to maintain vigor
- DeadheadJuly and August55% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes to tidy the plant and prolong interest
- PlantMarch–May43% of varieties
Plant transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- Winter PrepOctober and November40% of varieties
Apply extra mulch around the crown for winter protection
- PruneJune and July35% of varieties
Shear back lightly (1/3) if plants become leggy in mid-summer heat
- MulchApril35% of varieties
Apply mulch to retain essential moisture; refresh in fall for winter protection
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Fertilize monthly during growing season
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
- Avoid letting soil dry out completely ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
What goes wrong with Lobelia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Slugs | Chewed leaves and slime trails | Use organic slug bait or handpick at night |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaf surfaces | Apply organic fungicide and ensure good air circulation |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and spray with neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at base | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Lobelia
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination, approximately 2 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding after sprouting.
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings in late spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix.
- Maintain high humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks until rooted.
Lobelia questions
How many types of Lobelia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 45 distinct Lobelia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.3k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lobelia grow in?
Across its varieties, Lobelia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lobelia bloom?
Most Lobelia varieties bloom in mid-summer, mid-summer to early fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lobelia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Lobelia
By hardiness zone
Design with Lobelia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
