Lobelia
Lobelia erinus • Campanulaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Flower
🌍 Origin Region
South Africa
📅 Days to Maturity
70 to 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11 as a perennial, grown widely as an annual in zones 2 to 9.
About This Seed
The seeds are extremely tiny, dust-like, light to reddish-brown in color, and oblong to teardrop shaped. The resulting plant is a low-growing or trailing annual with masses of dainty, vibrant blue, purple, pink, or white flowers and small, often bronzy-green leaves.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring, start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last frost
Germination
Germinates in 14 to 21 days at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Requires light to germinate, do not cover seeds as they need surface exposure.
Planting Instructions
Surface sow seeds and press gently into soil without covering. Space plants 6 to 9 inches apart in rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, requiring consistent moisture and moderate watering with poor drought tolerance.
Companion Plants
Pairs well with impatiens, petunias, and begonias in containers.
Special Characteristics
Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators, highly prized for hanging baskets and containers, deer resistant.