How much sun does Longleaf lobelia need?

Longleaf lobelia grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Longleaf lobelia bloom?

Longleaf lobelia blooms in August, September, and October.

Where is Longleaf lobelia native?

Longleaf lobelia (Lobelia elongata) is native to AL, DE, GA, LA and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Longleaf lobelia attract?

Longleaf lobelia draws hummingbirds and butterflies.

Longleaf lobelia

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lobelia elongata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Longleaf lobelia (Lobelia elongata) is a perennial forb native to AL, DE, GA, LA and 5 more states. It blooms in August, September, and October. The flowers draw hummingbirds and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Longleaf lobelia (Lobelia elongata) 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

high

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AL, DE, GA, LA and 5 more states

Pollinators

hummingbirds, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain

An upright perennial with narrow leaves and a tall spike of tubular red-purple flowers in late summer and fall. Grows in wet ditches, bogs, and along pond margins.

Growing Longleaf lobelia

Grow Longleaf lobelia in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Tubular late-season flowers are a key nectar source for migrating hummingbirds.

Common questions

How much sun does Longleaf lobelia need?: Longleaf lobelia grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Longleaf lobelia bloom?: Longleaf lobelia blooms in August, September, and October.
Where is Longleaf lobelia native?: Longleaf lobelia (Lobelia elongata) is native to AL, DE, GA, LA and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Longleaf lobelia attract?: Longleaf lobelia draws hummingbirds and butterflies.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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