Southern Lobelia
Lobelia amoena
Last reviewed: July 2026
Toxicity unknown
Southern Lobelia (Lobelia amoena) 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"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, FL, GA, NC and 3 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Southern Lobelia.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Southern lobelia is a compact native perennial that produces delicate blue to purple flowers from summer through fall. This low-growing wildflower forms neat clumps and works well as a groundcover or border plant in partially shaded areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Southern Lobelia is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- May appear too informal for conservative front yards
- Bloom period appearance more acceptable than off-season
Wildlife value
The tubular flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the long blooming season. This native plant provides important nectar sources during late summer when many other flowers have finished blooming.
Common questions
- How much sun does Southern Lobelia need?
- Southern Lobelia grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Southern Lobelia bloom?
- Southern Lobelia blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Southern Lobelia native?
- Southern Lobelia (Lobelia amoena) is native to AL, FL, GA, NC and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Southern Lobelia attract?
- Southern Lobelia draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Is Southern Lobelia HOA-friendly?
- Southern Lobelia is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Southern Lobelia? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.