When does Lobelia inflata bloom?

Lobelia inflata blooms from July through September, producing small pale blue to violet tubular flowers scattered along its upper stems.

What growing conditions does Indian-tobacco need?

It does best in part sun with medium, well-drained soil, but it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade and from average moisture to somewhat drier soils.

What pollinators visit Lobelia inflata?

Bees, butterflies, and moths are the main visitors to the small flowers of Lobelia inflata, which they use as a nectar source through the summer bloom period.

Is Lobelia inflata a perennial plant?

No, it typically grows as an annual or biennial forb, completing its life cycle and dying back after flowering and setting seed each year.

Is Indian-tobacco HOA-friendly?

Indian-tobacco takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Indian-tobacco

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lobelia inflata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Lobelia inflata is a slender forb that blooms from July through September in fields, open woods, and roadsides across the eastern and central United States, growing best in part sun with medium moisture soil.

Toxicity unknown

Indian-tobacco (Lobelia inflata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

6"–30" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

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Indian-tobacco is a slender annual wildflower that produces spikes of small blue flowers from summer into fall. This native plant grows 6-30 inches tall with a narrow, upright habit that fits well in mixed plantings. Despite its common name, it is not related to commercial tobacco but gets its name from historical indigenous uses.

Growing Indian-tobacco

Grow Indian-tobacco in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 30 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Indian-tobacco takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Contains toxic alkaloids that may concern neighbors
Annual nature means gaps appear when plants die
Can self-seed unpredictably creating weedy appearance

Wildlife value

The tubular blue flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths throughout the late summer blooming period. As a native annual, it provides nectar during a time when many other flowers are fading.

Common questions

When does Lobelia inflata bloom?: Lobelia inflata blooms from July through September, producing small pale blue to violet tubular flowers scattered along its upper stems.
What growing conditions does Indian-tobacco need?: It does best in part sun with medium, well-drained soil, but it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade and from average moisture to somewhat drier soils.
What pollinators visit Lobelia inflata?: Bees, butterflies, and moths are the main visitors to the small flowers of Lobelia inflata, which they use as a nectar source through the summer bloom period.
Is Lobelia inflata a perennial plant?: No, it typically grows as an annual or biennial forb, completing its life cycle and dying back after flowering and setting seed each year.
Is Indian-tobacco HOA-friendly?: Indian-tobacco takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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