Overview
Lobelia physaloides is a clump forming, trailing, matforming, bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Lobelia, part of the Campanulaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Lobelia physaloides grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, flower borders and beds, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, patio and container plants and garden edging.
About
Lobelia physaloides is a herbaceous perennial cultivar of the Lobelia genus, known for its clump-forming, trailing, mat-forming, and bushy habit. As a deciduous plant, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and is suitable for a variety of soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a preference for moist but well-drained or well-drained conditions. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is well suited to exposed or sheltered sites and is ideal for cottage and informal gardens, flower borders, city gardens, coastal areas, patios, and containers. Interest is primarily in spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Lobelia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Lobelia physaloides size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Trailing, Matforming, Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants, Garden edging
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Lobelia physaloides
- Propagation
- Seed sown at 13-18ºC in late winter, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to slugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Lobelia physaloides?
Lobelia physaloides prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Lobelia physaloides need?
Lobelia physaloides is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Lobelia physaloides hardy in the UK?
Lobelia physaloides has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Lobelia physaloides?
Seed sown at 13-18ºC in late winter, Division in spring.
More in the Lobelia genus
- Hypsela reniformis
- Lobelia cardinalis
- Lobelia erinus 'Dolobelazu'PBR
- Lobelia erinus 'Flo173992'
- Lobelia erinus 'Regatta Sapphire'
- Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Lilac' (Riviera Series)
- Lobelia erinus 'Tech Hevio'
- Lobelia keniensis
