For a wonderful summer, lobelias transform the bed and balcony into a colorful sea of flowers. In order to experience this spectacle live on your own garden stage, the gardening effort is at a manageable level. The most frequently asked questions about cultivation receive a practical answer here.
How do you properly care for lobelia?
Lobelias are colorful flowering plants that bloom in summer and prefer a sunny, warm location. Caring for them includes regular watering, fertilizing every 2 weeks, cleaning out wilted flowers and cutting back by a third after the first flowering.
Care tips
The professional care of lobelias is based on a balanced water and nutrient balance as well as pruning at the right time. How to do it right:
- Water in dry summer conditions, possibly in the morning and evening
- Do not water overhead, but use the nozzle to water the roots
- Fertilize liquid every 2 weeks from May
- Clean out withered flowers or cut off the entire pile by a third after the first flowering
If you care for one of the rare perennial lobelias, they will receive winter protection on leaves, straw, brushwood or garden fleece. In mild locations, the experiment can succeed in guiding the South African beauties safely through the cold season.read more
Which location is suitable?
The lobelias found their way into our gardens from the sun-drenched regions of South Africa. So that they feel at home here, the beauties prefer a sunny, warm location without blazing sun at midday. While small men don't mind the odd gust of wind, we recommend a wind-protected location for towering lobelia species.read more
The correct planting distance
The planting distance varies depending on the selected lobelia species and variety. Arrange up to 8-inch tall males 4 to 5 inches apart. For medium-sized lobelias up to 60 cm tall, we recommend a planting distance of 30 cm. Majestic perennial lobelias with a height of up to 90 cm, thrive at a distance of 45 cm.
What soil does the plant need?
In order to perfectly stage their summer spectacle, lobelias only require normal garden soil. The soil should be fresh, moist and rich in humus and nutrients. Excellent permeability is of utmost importance, as the curtain falls on the garden stage when it is waterlogged. For pot cultivation, we recommend good quality potting soil (€12.00 on Amazon), which is optimized in terms of permeability with sand or lava granules.
What is the best time to plant?
Since the majority of lobelias cannot tolerate frost, we recommend planting from mid-May. If you plant the beauties you have grown yourself or purchased ready-made in the bed after the ice saints, delayed ground frosts will no longer cause problems.
When is flowering time?
The flowering period of lobelias extends throughout the summer and into autumn. The flower spectacle opens in June and only ends in September/October. To ensure that the flowers don't run out of steam over this long period of time, the first flower pile is cut off to make room for lush subsequent blooms.
Cut lobelia correctly
If you cut lobelias back by a third after the first act of their summer appearance in the garden and add a little compost with horn shavings to the roots, the floral splendor will take off again. In this way, the flowering period extends well into autumn. Annual varieties are then dug up and disposed of. Cut perennial lobelias back close to the ground in late winter.
Watering Lobelia
Lobelias are thirsty fellows. The sun worshipers evaporate a lot of moisture through their opulent flowers and countless leaves. Therefore, water the flowers regularly as soon as the soil has dried. In the pot on the balcony this may be necessary every day. Ideally, the water from the can nozzle reaches the roots directly.
Fertilize lobelia properly
From May to September, the lobelia enjoys a portion of compost with horn shavings once a month. Since the incorporation of organic solid fertilizer causes unrest in the bed, nettle or comfrey manure can be considered as a sensible alternative. If the flower thrives in the planter, a commercially available liquid fertilizer meets all requirements for a balanced nutrient supply.
Wintering
Crowd favorites among the lobelias, such as Mannestreu, radiate their floral charm throughout the summer. At the end of the flowering period, the plants are simply disposed of. For perennial lobelias, there is at least a chance of a revival next year in regions with mild winters. Don't cut these flowers back in the fall. Cover the plants in the bed with a 20 to 30 cm thick layer of leaves, compost and needle twigs. In the pot or balcony box, the flowers move to a bright, frost-free winter quarters before winter. Watered every now and then and not fertilized, the overwintered lobelias will not move into the garden or onto the balcony until May at the earliest.read more
Propagate Lobelia
Annual lobelias, like Mannestreu, can be easily propagated by sowing them on the windowsill. Sow the light germinators at the end of February/beginning of March and keep them constantly moist at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Seedlings with two pairs of he althy leaves are transplanted into individual pots, where they develop their own root system and are planted out by mid-May. You pick up perennial lobelias in autumn, divide the root ball and insert the segments in the new location. Under the protection of a thick layer of leaves, the sections transform into vital young plants by next year.
Lobelia in a pot
Lobelias have made a name for themselves as picturesque underplants in large pots or as main actors in balcony boxes. In order for cultivation to be successful, the following care criteria are important:
- Pottery shards above the water drain prevent harmful waterlogging
- Compost-based potted plant soil can be used as a substrate
- Water lobelias in pots regularly, in the morning and evening if necessary in summer
- Fertilize liquidly every 14 days from May to September
- Cut off withered flowers by a third for magnificent rebloom
Annual varieties are discarded in the fall. Place perennial lobelias in the bright, frost-free winter quarters, where they are watered every now and then.
Is lobelia poisonous?
Lobelias are infused with several toxic ingredients. Due to the high content of lobeline, an alkaloid similar to nicotine, the flowers pose a he alth risk to humans and animals. In the family garden, a location out of the reach of children and pets is therefore advisable.
Beautiful varieties
- Compliment: Magnificent perennial lobelia for mild winter locations with deep red flowers in summer; Growth height 60-70 cm
- Fan Scarlet: Unmissable summer flower with scarlet flowers and the potential to become a perennial; Growth height 50-60 cm
- Kathleen Maillard: Bright blue lobelia with double flowers and shoots up to 80 cm long; ideal for the traffic lights
- Blue Auslese: Enchanting perennial lobelia with bright white flowers until autumn; Growth height 50-60 cm
- Männertreu: Popular, annual lobelia with delicate, blue flowers and small growth; Growth height 10-25 cm
