Lobelias – they are an Eldorado for bees, bumblebees and butterflies. If you plant them on the balcony, you should not be surprised if these insects become frequent guests. But what else should you think about?
How do you care for lobelias on the balcony?
Lobelias thrive best on the balcony in a bright, warm, but protected location facing east or west. Suitable planters are balcony boxes, pots, plant bowls and hanging baskets. Regular watering, especially in hot weather, and fertilizing every two weeks contribute to success.
The location on the balcony
It should be bright and warm. A balcony that faces directly south is less suitable for the thirsty lobelias. Such a place should only be an option if you can water the lobelias every day. East and west balconies are more suitable. A north-facing balcony is not a suitable location as lobelias need a lot of light/sun to form flowers.
A safe place
It is also worth noting that the location should be protected. Therefore, it is less recommended to plant lobelias in the front of the balcony box if the balcony is in an open position.
A place on the wall of the house is well suited. There the lobelias are not only safe from the wind. The risk of damage from a summer thunderstorm (hail, storm, heavy rain) is also low there.
Suitable planters and substrate
Plant or sow your lobelias in regular potting soil. This meets the requirements of these plants. What is superficially important is that the soil is permeable and fresh. Good drainage should be ensured at the bottom of the planter, for example in the form of pebbles (€11.00 on Amazon) or shards of pottery. Suitable planters are:
- Balcony boxes
- Plant bowls
- Pots
- hanging baskets
Which neighbors do lobelias look good next to?
Lobelias are considered excellent gap fillers and look beautiful next to other balcony flowers when their flower colors complement each other. This is how they look appropriate next to the following specimens:
- Student flowers
- Pelargoniums
- Petunias
- Sun Beauty
- Bluebells
Ensuring survival: watering and fertilizing
Watering is important for survival. Especially in summer, lobelias need to be watered daily (twice a day in hot weather). In addition, it is advisable to add fertilizer every two weeks in the form of liquid fertilizer. Less necessary for survival, but still recommended, is cutting off withered flowers.
Tip
Caution: Lobelias are poisonous. If you have children or pets who are allowed on the balcony, place the lobelias out of their reach. The lobelias are ideal hanging in a hanging basket.