How to grow and care for Lobelia erinus L.
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Lobelia erinus L., Dwarf blue lobelia 'Cambridge Blue', Trailing lobelia 'Cambridge Blue'
Lobelia erinus L. 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright direct light
16C° ~24C°
Every 7 days
Botany Encyclopedia
Genus : Lobelia
🔖 Care Tips
When grown outdoors, these plants struggle to survive winter and may only last a year. Even indoors, their lifespan is short, and they might not bloom the following spring. In summer, prune the branches to allow good air circulation between them. When sowing seeds outdoors, do so between March and April, spacing them 15-25 cm apart. Maintain a temperature of 21-23°C, and cover the seeds lightly or not at all with soil. For indoor sowing, plant seeds from September to April, keeping the temperature at 21-23°C, and cover the seeds lightly or not at all with soil.
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
This plant primarily grows in South Africa. It thrives in warm and dry areas.
🪨 Soil Mix
When planting in the yard, ensure proper drainage to prevent water pooling. It's important to plant in well-draining soil. A common mix is 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% humus. However, the ratio may vary depending on conditions and environment.
🌡️ Environment
Daytime temperatures should be 19-22°C, nighttime temperatures 13-16°C, with a minimum of 5°C. It's difficult for the plant to survive winter outdoors, but it can manage on a balcony. Maintain humidity at 40-60%, and avoid overly humid conditions. Be cautious of mold if there are many stems, as this can hinder air circulation. In summer, temperatures and humidity are high, so provide shade or move the plant to a cooler area.
☀️ Light
Ensure the plant receives plenty of light. In summer, create some shade to avoid direct sunlight.
💧 Water
When the surface soil is dry, water the plant. Be careful not to get water on the flowers, as it can damage them.
🌱 Propagate
It is common to propagate by cutting stems about 10-20 cm long. For propagation: 1. If using water propagation, avoid transparent containers. Place the stem in water, and once roots appear, add hydroponic fertilizer. When roots are 5-7 cm or longer, transfer to soil. 2. For soil propagation, plant deeply in soil without fertilizer. After propagation, avoid exposing the plant to bright light. Gradually increase light exposure to help it adapt to gentle light. Maintain high humidity and keep the temperature between 18-22°C.
🪴 Repot
Repotting is not necessary due to its short lifespan, but if the roots become overcrowded, it's best to repot in the spring when there are no flowers.
💊 Fertilize
Using fertilizer at the recommended amount in spring before the flowers bloom can lead to more vigorous growth.
🌺 Flower
Flowers bloom from spring to fall. In summer, the hot weather may weaken the flowers compared to spring and fall.
😵 Toxicity
Be cautious with pets and young children as it is toxic.
water
How to water Lobelia erinus L.
How often should I water?
check Lobelia erinus L. Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Lobelia erinus L. need?
Bright direct light
Bright indirect light
Grow light
Light preference
Lobelia erinus L. likes Bright direct light, Bright indirect light, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
2K ~ 20K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
2K
20K
Temperature
Natural habitat
-15
3~40℃
45
Houseplants
-15
16~24℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Lobelia erinus L. at home, make sure the temperature is 16~24℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Lobelia erinus L. prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Lobelia erinus L. is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Asterales, Family: Campanulaceae, Genus: Lobelia, Species: Lobelia erinus
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Annual |
| Hardiness Zone | 9 - 11 |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Genus | Lobelia |
| Species | Lobelia erinus |
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