Lobelia cardinalis

[Tindomul]

Hello all,

How much lighting does this species need? Also, how wet does it like it? I have seen this one in the wild a long time ago, growing in water. Should I grow like that?
I guess I'm wondering if its possible to grow indoors?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Hello all,

How much lighting does this species need? Also, how wet does it like it? I have seen this one in the wild a long time ago, growing in water. Should I grow like that?
I guess I'm wondering if its possible to grow indoors?

Tindo, the Cardinal Flower grows in full sun (usually) in transitional wet areas. This means the roots are in standing water in early spring, slowly drying out over the summer. Here's a picture in nature As you can see, it is often associated with aspen and roadside ditches that have standing water early in the year. The soil is wetland muck soil. I have also photographed it in cedar swamps that are transitional. I also have some planted in my side yard in a man-made wetland adjacent to my pond.

Cardinal Flower is a short-lived perennial that dies back in winter. It's life span is approx 5 years or so. Most of mine are now gone (the second picture was in 2003 at it's peak.)

[littlefrog]

I don't know how long it will last indoors. I think of it as a northern terrestrial, I don't know if it requires a dormant period but it sure gets one...

I actually found some growing at my old house under the foundation plantings (overgrown yews). By no means wet, not even watered very often. I doubt it was growing rampantly, and I have no idea how it got there, but it survived. I suspect it is a pretty versatile plant.