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Lobelia chinensis (Chinese lobelia)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.15m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lobelia chinensis
Other names
Chinese lobelia, Asian lobelia, Chinese creeping lobelia, Herba lobellae chinensis, Creeping lobelia
Genus
Lobelia Lobelia
Species
L. chinensis - L. chinensis is a compact, creeping, deciduous perennial with narrowly lance-shaped, mid-green leaves and white to pale pink flowers blooming at the leaf axils from midsummer into autumn.
Lobelia chinensis is: Deciduous
Habit
Compact, Creeping
Flower
White, Pink in Summer; Pink, White in Autumn
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs Slugs
Diseases
May be prone to a virus
Crown rot Crown rot
General care
Propagation
Sow at 13-18C in late winter or early spring. Seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Lobelia chinensis (Chinese lobelia) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Waterside
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, reliably moist soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out. Best with some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Apply a thick winter mulch in cold winter climates. May be invasive in ideal growing conditions. Used in traditional Chinese herbology.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Lobelia chinensis
Other names
Chinese lobelia, Asian lobelia, Chinese creeping lobelia, Herba lobellae chinensis, Creeping lobelia
Genus
Lobelia Lobelia
Species
L. chinensis - L. chinensis is a compact, creeping, deciduous perennial with narrowly lance-shaped, mid-green leaves and white to pale pink flowers blooming at the leaf axils from midsummer into autumn.
Native to
China
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Compact, Creeping
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Colour
Flower
White, Pink in Summer; Pink, White in Autumn
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
May be prone to a virus
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation
Sow at 13-18C in late winter or early spring. Seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lobelia chinensis (Chinese lobelia) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Waterside
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, reliably moist soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out. Best with some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Apply a thick winter mulch in cold winter climates. May be invasive in ideal growing conditions. Used in traditional Chinese herbology.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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