| Botanical Name: | Lobelia |
| Life Cycle: | annual |
| Planting Time: | spring or summer |
| Height: | 3" to 9" |
| Exposure: | full sun (cooler zones) or partial shade (warmer zones) |
| Soil: | moist, well-drained soil with a neutral pH |
| Hardiness: | dependent on variety |
| Bloom Time: | summer |
| Flower: | variety of colors |
| Foliage: | green |
| Propagation: | seeds |
| Suggested Use: | beds, borders, edging, ground cover, fillers, planters and boxes |
| Growing Hints: | Due to its seed to bloom time (about 2 months), lobelia is often sold as small seedlings already in bloom. These can be transplanted 4 to 6 inches apart after all danger of frost is past. Seeds can also be started indoors from 10 to 12 weeks before last frost date. Seeds are small and should be broadcast on top of fine grade soil and left uncovered. Removing spent flower spikes will encourage plants to produce new growth. |
| Interesting Facts: | Lobelia was first introduced in the wild form over 200 years ago from the Cape of Good Hope region in South Africa. Also known as Indian tobacco, it has historically been smoked as a treatment for respiratory ailments by Native Americans. In the 19th century, American physicians began to prescribe lobelia to induce vomiting in order to detoxify the body. This is how is it also earned the name "puke weed." |
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