Lobelia cardinalis
TAXONOMY
FamilyCampanulaceae
GenusLobelia
Zone3
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Plants of the World OnlineABOUT
Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as cardinal flower, is a perennial plant native to North America. It is known for its striking red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant thrives in temperate climates and prefers moist to wet conditions. It has a dormancy period during the winter months.
ALSO KNOWN AS
Cardinal Flower
Crimson Dahlia
Dortmanna Engelmanniana
Dortmanna Longifolia
Rapuntium Cardinale
Rapuntium Coccineum
Rapuntium Cordigerum
Rapuntium Gramineum
Rapuntium Longifolium
Red Dahlia
Tupa Ignescens
Dortmanna cardinalis
Dortmanna cordigera
Dortmanna fulgens
Dortmanna graminea
Dortmanna phyllostachya
Dortmanna splendens
Lobelia cardinalis f. alba
Lobelia cardinalis f. cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis f. cordigera
Lobelia cardinalis f. hispidula
Lobelia cardinalis f. rosea
Lobelia cardinalis f. splendens
Lobelia cardinalis subsp. cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis subsp. graminea
Lobelia cardinalis var. alba
Lobelia cardinalis var. angustifolia
Lobelia cardinalis var. candida
Lobelia cardinalis var. glandulosa
Lobelia cardinalis var. graminea
Lobelia cardinalis var. hispidula
Lobelia cardinalis var. integerrima
Lobelia cardinalis var. meridionalis
Lobelia cardinalis var. multiflora
Lobelia cardinalis var. phyllostachya
Lobelia cardinalis var. propinqua
Lobelia cardinalis var. pseudosplendens
Lobelia cardinalis var. texensis
Lobelia coccinea
Lobelia cordigera
Lobelia cordigera var. fatalis
Lobelia cordigera var. marryattae
Lobelia cordigera var. multiflora
Lobelia cordigera var. pyramidalis
Lobelia formosa
Lobelia fulgens
Lobelia fulgens f. atrosanguinea
Lobelia fulgens f. maculata
Lobelia fulgens f. rosea
Lobelia fulgens var. glabriuscula
Lobelia fulgens var. marryattiae
Lobelia fulgens var. multiflora
Lobelia fulgens var. propinqua
Lobelia fulgens var. pyrimidalis
Lobelia graminea
Lobelia graminea f. kerneri
Lobelia graminea var. intermedia
Lobelia graminea var. phyllostachya
Lobelia graminea var. pseudosplendens
Lobelia ignea
Lobelia kerneri
Lobelia longifolia
Lobelia marryattae
Lobelia mucronata
Lobelia phyllostachya
Lobelia porphyrantha
Lobelia princeps
Lobelia propinqua
Lobelia punicea
Lobelia punicea var. kerneri
Lobelia ramosa
Lobelia schiedeana
Lobelia splendens
Lobelia splendens f. ignea
Lobelia splendens var. atrosanguinea
Lobelia splendens var. fulgens
Lobelia splendens var. ignea
Lobelia texensis
Rapuntium fulgens
Rapuntium splendens
OVERVIEW
VPDCalculate
WaterVery Wet
SoilLoamy
LightIndirect Bright (6 Hours)
Temperature20° C
Humidity60%
Dormancy3 Months
pH6.5
Pressure1,013 mbar
DETAILS
Care Instructions
Cardinal flower requires bright, indirect light and thrives in moderate temperatures. It prefers high humidity and should be kept in consistently moist soil. Regular watering is essential to maintain its moisture levels. The plant can tolerate some shade but performs best with several hours of indirect sunlight.Soil
Lobelia cardinalis prefers loamy soil that retains moisture well. The soil should be rich in organic matter and have good drainage to prevent waterlogging. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal for this plant.Fertilizer
Use a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10. Fertilize the plant during the growing season, typically every 4-6 weeks, to support its growth and flowering.Repotting
Repot the plant in early spring before the growing season begins. Choose a pot with good drainage and use a rich, loamy soil mix. Gently remove the plant from its current pot, loosen the roots, and place it in the new pot, filling in with fresh soil.Propagation
Propagate Lobelia cardinalis by division or from seeds. Division is best done in early spring or late fall. Carefully separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring each has roots attached, and replant them. Seeds can be sown in a moist seed-starting mix and kept in a warm, bright location until they germinate.Pruning
Prune the plant after flowering to remove spent blooms and encourage new growth. Cut back any dead or damaged stems to maintain the plant's shape and health. Regular pruning helps to promote a bushier growth habit.Toxicity
Lobelia cardinalis is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handle the plant with care and keep it out of reach of children and pets.Additional
Cardinal flower is a great addition to water gardens, rain gardens, and areas with consistently moist soil. It is also beneficial for attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR PLANT CARE
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