Cardinalflower
Lobelia cardinalis
- Native to:
- Belize, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, United States
Barnes, Dr. Thomas G.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Campanulaceae
- Genus:
- Lobelia
- Species:
- Lobelia cardinalis
- USDA Symbol:
- LOCA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- red
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Enigmogramma basigera Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers wetland areas like stream banks and floodplains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix seeds with an equal amount of perlite or vermiculite and seal into a container. Cold stratify for 1-2 months in a cool dry place. Seeds can be stored cold until planted (up to 3 years).
Establishment: L. cardinalis is found in both eastern central Upper Peninsula and the American Southwest from southern California to Texas and northern Mexico. The protocols do not provide germination percentages or time ranges for germination.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).