Planting, Growing, and Caring for Trailing Lobelia Plants
Trailing lobelia is for its cascading growth and colorful blooms. It thrives in cool weather, producing blue, pink, purple, red, or white flowers. While it may decline in hot, humid conditions, regular pruning can encourage new growth. Best grown as an annual in most climates, lobelia adds vibrant color to hanging baskets, containers, and garden edges. Learn more about adding Lobelia to your life!
About Trailing Lobelia
Lobelia erinus var. pendula is a trailing cultivar that puts on its best show from late spring to early summer when temperatures are cool. It blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, and white. When summer’s heat and humidity roll in, this beauty takes a break. Foliage and flowering decline significantly but, with pruning and relief from the heat, may return in early fall for an encore performance. Look for heat-tolerant cultivars.
Trailing lobelia is a tender perennial winter-hardy in Zones 9 to 11 and treated as an annual elsewhere.
Types
- Lobelia erinus var. pendula ‘Blue Cascade’: true blue blooms over pale foliage
- L. erinus var. pendula Cascade Mix: blooms in shades of blue, lavender, rose, red, and white
- L. erinus var. pendula Fountain series: large, early flowers; ‘Crimson Fountain’ blooms in deep red
- L. erinus var. pendula ‘Sapphire’: electric-blue flowers with white eye
Tim Goodwin
