lobelia
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Lobelia Plant Care & Growing Guide: How to Grow Lobelia from Seed, in Pots, and in the Garden
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a compact, trailing flowering plant loved for its clouds of blue, purple, or white blooms. It grows beautifully in hanging baskets, window boxes, rock gardens, and borders โ and it performs best with consistent moisture and gentle, regular feeding. Using a balanced liquid fertiliser such as CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 Liquid Fertiliser helps Lobelia maintain lush colour and dense flowering throughout the season.Lobelia can be grown from nursery seedlings or from seed โ and while the seeds are tiny, they germinate reliably when started in warm, bright conditions. This makes Lobelia an excellent choice for both beginner gardeners and container growers.
How to Grow Lobelia from Seed
- Start Indoors: Sow seeds 8โ10 weeks before the last frost.
- Surface-Sow: Do not cover seeds with soil โ they need light to germinate.
- Mist to Water: Use a spray bottle to keep the surface evenly moist.
- Warmth Helps: Ideal temperature is 18โ22ยฐC for germination.
- Thin Early: Once seedlings develop true leaves, gently thin to avoid crowding.
Seedlings form slowly at first, then accelerate once conditions stabilise. When transferring to pots or the garden, gently handle the roots โ Lobelia prefers firm, settled soil rather than loose, fluffy mixes.
Growing Lobelia in Sun or Shade
Lobelia grows best in bright morning sun and light afternoon shade. Full sun is possible in cool climates, but in warm regions, intense afternoon heat can cause wilting and flower drop. If leaves fade or flowers slow, move the plant to gentler light.
- Cool climates (TAS, VIC mountain zones): Full sun is fine.
- Warm climates (NSW, QLD inland): Partial shade is best.
- Coastal regions: Morning sun + filtered afternoon shade works well.
Watering Lobelia
Lobelia prefers evenly moist soil โ not dry, not soggy. Because it’s shallow-rooted, it dries faster than many garden plants.
- Water when the top 1โ2 cm of soil feels dry.
- Hanging baskets may need daily watering in warm weather.
- Always improve drainage โ Lobelia will rot if left in standing water.
Feeding Lobelia for Continuous Blooms
Lobelia flowers continuously when fed lightly and consistently. A balanced fertiliser like CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 supports bloom development, stem health, and foliage colour.
- Pots & Baskets: Feed every 10โ14 days.
- Garden Beds: Feed every 2โ3 weeks.
- Indoor Window Boxes: Use the gentler Indoor Plant Food Concentrate for softer, compact growth.
Lobelia responds quickly to feeding โ within two weeks, blooms become denser and foliage deepens in colour.
How to Keep Lobelia Blooming All Season
- Pinch Back: Lightly trim leggy stems every 2โ3 weeks.
- Refresh After Heat Waves: Cut back by one-third and resume feeding.
- Consistent Water Matters: Drought stress causes bloom drop.
Lobelia rebounds quickly from trimming โ new flowers form on the fresh growth that follows.
FAQs
Can Lobelia grow in pots?
Yes โ it thrives in containers, especially hanging baskets, railing boxes, and window planters.
Can Lobelia grow in shade?
Yes โ part shade is ideal in warm climates.
Why does my Lobelia stop flowering?
Usually heat stress or lack of fertiliser. Trim lightly and resume liquid feeding.
How long does Lobelia last?
It grows as a long flowering annual, though in mild climates it may persist into the next season.
For long-lasting colour and strong bloom performance, see premium liquid feeds at CompleteGrow.com.au
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