One of the most beautiful plants that you can grow in your garden is lobelia. This tall flowing plant comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Lobelia is comprised of 400 different species, so finding one to meet your garden needs won’t be difficult. If this flowing plant seems appealing to you, stick around to learn more about why Lobelia is such a popular choice.
Quick Answer
Because of the large variety of lobelia, you will find lobelia that are treated as perennials, annuals, and even shrubs. However, lobelias are all perennials.
Is Lobelia a Perennial or a Annual?
When it comes to lobelia there is a great debate about whether or not this plant is a perennial or an annual? As mentioned above, there are over 400 known species of lobelia.
Because of this wide species range, you will find lobelia that are treated as perennials, annuals, and even shrubs. However, lobelias are all perennials, but some of these plants are treated as annuals due to environmental conditions. If this is confusing, don’t worry, we will explain this in further detail below.
A Tropical Plant
Lobelia is native to many tropical areas of the world. These beautiful flowing plants will grow year after year in their natural environment. If you live in a hardiness zone, that is similar to the plant’s origins, then you can expect lobelia to be a perennial plant. On the other hand, if you live in cooler climates, this plant should be treated as an annual.
Growing Lobelia as A Perennial
If you live in an area of the country that has mild winters, you may be able to grow lobelia as a perennial. Almost all lobelia varieties will die back during the winter months. But if you are lucky enough to live in a warm area, these plants will likely come back in the spring. This will occur year after year for many years.
Growing Lobelia as An Annual
If you are in a hardiness zone that has harsh winters, with periods of snow, you will have to treat lobelia as an annual. This means you will need to replant lobelia every year. As you have learned above, lobelia is a tropical plant that requires perfect growing conditions to regenerate every growing season. You can still enjoy this amazing plant if you’re willing to put in a little extra work by replanting them in the garden during the spring.
Growing Lobelias in Containers
Having to replant lobelias in the garden every year can be a pain for some. If you fall into this group, there is a way to avoid having to do extra work in the garden. Lobelias do well when planted in containers, and they can bring beauty to patios and porches alike. When the weather outside starts to turn cooler you can bring those containers inside and protect them from temperature drops.
When you bring containers of lobelias inside for the winter, make sure to keep them in the warmest area of the home. Also, provide them with plenty of sunlight and water when needed. While your lobelias will likely still die back, they will come back during the spring. Once spring has sprung, you can once again bring the containers back outside for everyone to enjoy.
How To Overwinter Lobelias in the Garden
Even if you are lucky enough to live in a warmer area of the country, you will still need to prepare your lobelias for the winter. Start getting your plants ready for the winter by trimming back any dead or dying leaves and stems. This will help the plant provide the still-living parts of the plant with energy.
Next, give the plants a good soaking of water. This will help keep the plants from drying out when conditions become windy or the air becomes dryer.
Last but not least, rake the area around the plants and clear the ground of any debris. Once clean, provide the plants with a thick layer of mulch. This will help protect the roots of the plant from frost and cold wind.
Is Lobelia a Perennial or An Annual?: Conclusion
Now that you know the answer to the question, is lobelia a perennial or an annual, you can decide how they will grow best in your local area. Remember, those that live in cooler climates will need to replant these lovely plants every year. For those who call warmer climates home, you can trust that these beautiful plants will keep coming back year after year.
Related Article: How to Grow Lobelia From Seed: A Step by Step Guide