Species lobelia
pink flowers with red-white stigmas, green leaves and brown stems

lobelia

Lobelia x speciosa

Lobelia x speciosa is an evergreen plant of the Lobelia genus native to Southeast Asia. It is an attractively flowering shrub that grows to 2 to 4 feet tall and bears bright magenta, purple, or pinkish-white blooms. The foliage is comprised of soft, mid-green, spatulate shaped leaves. It flourishes best in moist, well-drained soil and grows best in partial sunlight. The plant is drought resistant and also makes for an excellent groundcover in gardens. Its long blooming period lasts from spring to autumn.

Cycle:

Annual

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5

Flowers:

Showy, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Violet, White, Dark-red Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Fruits:

blue,purple Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Lobelia x speciosa can be watered weekly, though less frequently during cooler months. Water thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. To determine when to water the plant, stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil. If it feels damp or wet, water only when the soil has dried out. During peak summer months, ensure the soil stays slightly moist.

sunlight

Lobelia x speciosa plants prefer full or partial sunlight, with at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. For optimal growth, it is best to give your plants a maximum of 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day. During periods of extreme summer heat, plants may benefit from a little afternoon shade. Direct southern exposure is ideal but in areas with intense sunlight, some afternoon shade is necessary. It is important to provide enough sunlight to keep foliage and flowers from burning.

pruning

Lobelia x speciosa should be pruned in the spring after new growth begins to appear. It's important to prune the plant back heavily to encourage full, bushy growth. Depending on the desired shape of the plant, start by removing any crossed branches and thinning out long spindly branches. Additionally, cut back on any dead wood or that has been damaged by cold or wind. Lastly, prune back the entire plant by up to 1-third to encourage fresh new growth.

Season

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

cardinalis Harvesting of Lobelia x speciosa (lobelia cardinalis) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Lobelia x speciosa typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Lobelia x speciosa typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

cardinalis Harvesting of Lobelia x speciosa (lobelia cardinalis) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map