Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Lobelia laxiflora or Mexican lobelia

The genus Lobelia, family Campanulaceae, comprises 400 species of perennial and annual herbaceous plants native to Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. Some species are: Lobelia laxiflora, Lobelia excelsa, Lobelia erinus, Lobelia fulgens, Lobelia tenuior, Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia syphilitica, Lobelia splendens.

Common names: Mexican lobelia, Mexican cardinalflower, Looseflowers lobelia, Drooping lobelia. This species is native to South, Central, and North America.

They are perennial plants that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have long and narrow leaves. The showy flowers are tubular in shape and orange-red in color. They bloom from mid spring to late fall.

Mexican lobelia is used to create groups combined with other plants such as Teucrium, Echium, Bupleurum, Agapanthus, Cineraria, Helychrysum, etc. It's suitable for gardens by the sea.

Lobelia laxiflora can grow in direct sun, semi-shade and shade exposures. It resists frosts down to -10 ºC (14 ºF) but lose its leaves and sprout again in spring.

The soil must be well drained, contain organic matter and a little lime. Planting is done in spring

Drooping lobelia is a drought resistant plant. Water every 10 days in summer and much less the rest of the year.

Fertilize in autumn with manure and in spring with mineral fertilizer every 20 days.

Mexican cardinalflower does not need pruning; its expansion must be watched because it tends to become invasive.

Lobelia laxiflora is a quite resistant plant to pests and diseases but is sensitive to excess humidity.

Looseflowers lobelia propagates by division in early spring.

Images of the plant Lobelia laxiflora or Mexican lobelia