- Botanical name: Lobelia erinus
- Common name: Lobelia
- Family: Campanulaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Blue
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
Lobelias are small, long flowering perennials from South Africa. Lobelia erinus is a trailing species with masses of purple or blue flowers. It has fine stems and deep green leaves, which are toothed and roughly oval. It’s especially effective in hanging baskets, flower pouches and other containers, where its trailing stems spill over the sides bearing masses of flowers, throughout summer.
Grow Lobelia erinus in a cool spot in moist soil in partial shade. Rejuvenate plants in midsummer by cutting back, to maintain bushy growth and encourage repeat flowering.
Read our full guide on how to grow lobelia.
How to grow Lobelia erinus
-
Plant size
20cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Lobelia erinus and wildlife
Lobelia erinus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Lobelia erinus poisonous?
Lobelia erinus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Lobelia erinus
