How to Grow and Care for Lobelia

Beautiful 2-lipped tubular flowers with intense color, each with 5 lobes – that’s what makes lobelias one of the most popular and most beautiful garden plants.

Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants comprising 415 species primarily found in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, but in cooler climates as well. We know lobelia as an attractive annual herb with many varieties, all coming in different attractive colors. It is a beautiful addition to any garden. The best part about lobelias is that they are so easy to grow and care for! If you are mesmerized by their beauty and want to have them in your garden then you are at the right place as we are going to share everything you need to know on how to grow and care for lobelia.

Lobelia is an easy growing, versatile herb you can plant freely in your garden, use as a border, in hanging baskets, containers. ground covers etc. The one thing you should have in mind before choosing your lobelia variety is it’s mature height which is important for choosing the perfect planting location. L. inflata(Indian tobacco), L. cardinalis (Cardinal flower), and L. siphilitica are the most common varieties for home gardening.

One of the most popular varieties of lobelia is called Indian tobacco and this is because Native Americans once smoked lobelia plant to treat asthma. Another name for lobelia is pukeweed because it was once prescribed the plant to induce vomiting. We have to warn you though that the plant is poisonous so don’t try this at home.

Planting & Fertilizing

When choosing the perfect planting location for your lobelia, have in mind that almost every variety prefers partial shade, although they can grow quite nicely in full sun as well. As for the soil, make sure it is nutrient rich and well hydrated. Offer a water soluble fertilizer each month for best results.

Watering

Watering is important for lobelia’s blooming. Soil should be kept moist constantly. Water annuals with 1 1/2 inches of water per week while perennials less frequently but deeply. However, you should allow the top soil to dry between waterings.

Pruning

Another great thing about lobelias is that they are self-cleaning plants that don’t require removing of faded flowers like many other annuals. But when the first blooming season is over it is best to prune the stems which will encourage the production of new blooms.

Annual Lobelia

If you want to grow annual lobelia out of seeds then all you need to do is spread the seeds on top of the soil and water thoroughly then place them in a warm, light place. In a week or two, when the seeds start popping out, you can start thinning them out. When there is no fear of frost anymore and your plants are around 2-3 inches tall it is time to transplant them in the garden, ideally 4-6 inches apart.

Perenial Lobelia

During winter you should provide pine needles mulch to protect the root system. This is for perennial varieties of course. You can also cut back perennial lobelias to just above ground level after blooming has ceased. As for the annual varieties, pull them out and discard them once heavy frost kills them in autumn.

 

How to Grow and Care for Lobelia

All You Need To Know About Growing Beautiful Zinnias

Perfect for beginner gardeners, zinnia flowers are a colorful and long lasting addition to your flower garden. When you learn how easy it is to grow these plants, you’ll instantly want to add this popular annual to sunny areas that benefit from their perky blooms.

They simply need full sun, warmth, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is “dahlia-flowered” and grows up to three feet. Other types are “cactus-flowered.” Use zinnias in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are also suitable for edging, window boxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets. Here is all you need to know about growing beautiful zinnias in your garden!

Planting

Zinnia flowers are planted from seeds. Seeds of zinnia flowers should be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. In warmer areas with long growing seasons, sow zinnia seeds directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. In colder regions with shorter growing seasons, sow seeds indoors about 4 to 5 weeks before the last average frost.

Location

Full sun is essential with a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F when planting zinnia flowers. Just cover zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) between plants.

Soil

Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, for young plants. If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.

Watering

You should water zinnias at the base of the plant. A soaker hose is ideal for keeping foliage and petals dry while providing much needed irrigation. The best is to water in the early morning, allowing the foliage and flowers ample time to dry off before nightfall.

Deadheading

Regularly deadhead or remove old flowers to keep plants attractive and encourage more blooms. Clipping the plant back often results in more abundant blooms. In addition, when learning how to grow zinnia, remember that pinching back results in a bushier and more attractive plant.

Pests

Zinnias can get bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease. Caterpillars, mealy bugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled.

All You Need To Know About Growing Beautiful Zinnias