Great Blue Lobelia

What you'll need:

Great Blue Lobelia seeds or young plants (you can find them at garden centers or native plant nurseries)

A pot or a patch of soil in your garden

Regular potting mix or garden soil (if your soil is too heavy, mix in some sand or compost to loosen it up)

A watering can or hose with a gentle spray setting

When to start:

Great Blue Lobelia loves cooler weather. If you're starting from seeds, sow them indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. If you're planting outdoors, wait until after the last frost when the soil has warmed slightly but isn't too hot.

Finding a good spot:

This plant prefers partial shade—it doesn’t like full sun all day, so look for a spot that gets some morning sun and afternoon shade. If you’re planting in pots, place them on a shaded porch or balcony where they’ll get filtered light.

Tip: These plants thrive in moist soil, so if your yard tends to stay damp or has a low-lying area, this could be a perfect match!

If you have seeds:

1. Fill small pots or seed trays with moist soil.
2. Sprinkle the seeds lightly on top of the soil—don’t bury them too deep because they need light to germinate.
3. Gently mist the soil with water to keep it moist but not soggy.
4. Place the pots in a cool, bright spot (around 65-70°F/18-21°C).
5. Seeds will sprout in about 2-3 weeks, so be patient!

Once the seedlings have grown a few sets of leaves, you can transplant them into larger pots or your garden.

If you’re using young plants:

1. Dig a hole in your garden or pot that’s about the same size as the root ball of the plant.
2. Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole.
3. Backfill with soil and press down gently to secure the plant.
4. Water thoroughly right after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.

Planting tips:

• Space the plants about 12 inches apart to give them room to grow.
• If planting in the ground, consider grouping them with other moisture-loving plants to create a mini wetland area.

Watering:

• Great Blue Lobelia likes consistently moist soil. If it dries out too much, the plant may struggle.
• Water every 2-3 days, or more often if the weather is dry and warm. If you live in a rainy area, you might not need to water as frequently.
• Check the soil regularly—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

Feeding:

• This plant doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer. If you want to give it a boost, use a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Avoid over-fertilizing—it can lead to leggy growth rather than healthy blooms.

Sunlight and Shade:

• Remember, Great Blue Lobelia prefers partial shade. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
• If you notice the leaves wilting or turning yellow, it might be getting too much sun—try moving it to a shadier spot.

Minor problem solving:

• Yellowing leaves? It could be too much sun or not enough water. Move the plant to a shadier spot and increase watering.
• Leggy growth? If the plant is stretching too much, it might need more light. Try placing it in a brighter area, but still avoid harsh afternoon sun.

While Great Blue Lobelia isn’t typically harvested for food, its beautiful blue flowers are great for cutting and adding to bouquets! Here’s how to enjoy the blooms:

When to cut flowers:

• Once the plant starts blooming (usually in late summer to early fall), you can snip off a few stems to bring indoors.
• Cut the flowers in the morning when they’re freshest and most hydrated.

How to cut:

• Use clean scissors or pruners to cut the stem just above a leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem). This encourages the plant to keep producing more flowers.
• Place the cut stems in water immediately to keep them fresh.

After flowering:

• Once the blooming period is over, you can let the seed heads form if you’d like to collect seeds for next year.
• To collect seeds, wait until the seed pods turn brown and dry, then shake them into a paper bag to catch the tiny seeds.

Tip: Leaving some seed heads on the plant allows it to self-seed naturally, so you might see new plants popping up next year!

Q: Can Great Blue Lobelia survive winter?

A: Yes! Great Blue Lobelia is a perennial, meaning it will come back year after year in zones 4-9. Just make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely during the winter months.

Q: How do I stop my Lobelia from getting too tall and falling over?

A: If it’s growing too tall, try pinching back the tips of the plant when it’s young. This encourages bushier growth. You can also stake taller plants to keep them upright.

Q: Is Great Blue Lobelia deer-resistant?

A: Yes! Deer tend to avoid this plant, making it a great choice for gardens in areas with lots of wildlife.

Q: Why isn’t my Lobelia blooming?

A: It might not be getting enough light or water. Make sure it’s in partial shade and the soil stays consistently moist. Also, avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to leafy growth instead of flowers.

Q: Can I grow Great Blue Lobelia in a pot?

A: Absolutely! Just make sure the pot has good drainage and keep the soil moist. Potted plants may need more frequent watering since containers dry out faster than garden soil.