Lobelia
Lobelia erinus
Also called Trailing lobelia and Edging lobelia
Garden plant · BeddingIt sulks and browns off in the middle of a hot summer. Shear the whole thing back by half, keep it wet, and it comes again in three weeks.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 2 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Sun or part shade
- Feed
- Once a fortnight
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Hardiness
- Tender — no frost at all RHS H2, to 1°C
- Size
- 0.2 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Southern Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — harmful if eaten, and a skin irritant.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.