Species cardinal flower
Burgundy-maroon, tubular flowers with broad maroon-green leaves

cardinal flower

Lobelia 'Cotton Candy'

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia 'Cotton Candy') is a captivating plant with blooms to match. Its large, star-shaped flowers of deep pink to lilac hues radiate from thin, straight stems above foliage of bright green. This fast-growing annual can reach heights of up to three feet (90 cm). Once planted, these flowers will add a dreamy, calming atmosphere to any garden or landscape. Flowering from late summer until the first hard frosts, this hardy plant does best in full sun but will still thrive in partially-shaded areas if watered regularly.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,purple,pink

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia 'Cotton Candy') should be watered deeply once a week in order to keep the soil slightly moist (but not soggy). The timing depends on the season and temperature, as more frequent watering may be required during hot summer months, while once every 2 weeks may be sufficient during cooler fall months. In addition to weekly deep watering, you can mist the foliage with a spray bottle to increase the humidity surrounding the plant (especially useful in dry indoor environments).

sunlight

Cardinal flower (Lobelia 'Cotton Candy') requires full sun or partial shade, preferably 4-6 hours of direct sunlight throughout the day. The plant flourishes in hot, sunny spots, as long as the soil is kept moist. If there is no direct sunlight available, it can still tolerate partial shade. Make sure to provide even temperatures for the plant and to provide light intermittent shade if necessary. Avoid planting it in a shadier spot that doesn't receive direct sunlight for most of the day. A south-facing location is often the best choice for cardinal flower.

pruning

Cardinal flower (Lobelia 'Cotton Candy') should be pruned in late spring after flowering has finished. Light pruning should be sufficient, which can be done by pinching off just the spent flowers. The plant may also benefit from a light trimming every few years to remove any old growth and promote healthy new shoots. Avoid severe pruning that will cut into the main branches as this can cause irreversible damage to the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Lobelia 'Cotton Candy' typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Lobelia 'Cotton Candy' typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map