Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

$5.00

The tall bluish-purple flower spikes of Blue Lobelia are not only striking, but also attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is recommended as a preferred mid-season pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Blue Lobelia may be a short-lived perennial, but if you are lucky, it will reseed itself. Other mammals tend to leave this plant alone because it produces several toxic alkaloids.

Photo credit: John Blair

The tall bluish-purple flower spikes of Blue Lobelia are not only striking, but also attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is recommended as a preferred mid-season pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Blue Lobelia may be a short-lived perennial, but if you are lucky, it will reseed itself. Other mammals tend to leave this plant alone because it produces several toxic alkaloids.

Photo credit: John Blair

Life Cycle: Short-Lived Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial shade

Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium

Height: 3 feet

Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches

Bloom Time: July - October

Bloom Color: Bluish-purple

Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great landscaping plant

Host Plant: 6 species of butterflies and moths use Lobelia as a caterpillar host plant in my area (nwf.org)

Complementary Plants: Swamp Milkweed, Common Ironweed, White Turtlehead, Moutainmint

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