Cardinal Lobelia cardinalis plants
The cardinal flower also known as Cardinal Lobelia cardinalis, is a herbaceous perennial that puts on a show! This native plant with bold scarlet red flowers makes a statement and complements any garden. It is gorgeous when mixed with heuchera, ferns, and swamp milkweed. It is a pollinator favorite, especially for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Plant Details - Lobelia Cardinalis
Family: Bellflower (Campanulaceae)
Light Requirement: Full
Water Needs: Moist
Height: 3-4 ft.
Spread: 1-2 ft.
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: Red
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies
Cardinal Lobelia Cardinalis Plant Uses
The Lobelias grow near shaded streams naturally, so they will enjoy growing in wetter places in your garden. Keep them consistently moist and avoid allowing them to dry out.
As it prefers shade to sunny areas, it brightens any dark corner with its stunning scarlet blooms, which will enhance your garden. As an upright and stately perennial, this flower is a delight to the eye and will be a stunner in your garden for years to come.
Not a one-hit wonder, this red cardinal flower is truly versatile! Put it in your border, pollinator garden, rock garden, or meadow. It is a low-maintenance plant that will not need much direct care. Water deeply when first planting. Water during droughts.
If you want to give your Cardinal Flower an extra treat, you can top dress the soil around them with compost or leaf mold to improve soil structure or add organic matter. Make sure to give this plant some space around each clump, especially around its leaves, to prevent fungal issues. Treat with an organic fungicide should issues arise.
Lobelia Cardinalis Plant: Noteworthy Characteristics of
The cardinal flower is a magnet for many hungry pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies that enjoy the nectar from its flowers. Deer and rabbits will avoid this plant.
Have you been looking for an easy-to-propagate plant? This is the one! It will readily self-seed and spread slowly in your garden, without being invasive. You can leave spent, fertilized blooms to turn into seedpods, which will allow the seeds to fall when mature. If you do not want this plant to spread, deadhead the spent flowers.
Lobelia Cardinalis Plant is a vibrant blooming wetland perennial that often attracts all kinds of birds and pollinators. Shop TN Nursery, your source for quality mature blooming age plants.
Customer Reviews
I received 4 cardinal cut plants in great condition! This was a replacement order from a previous order that wasn’t good plants upon arrival. *please note that isn’t a complaint! I’ve placed several orders & this was my first issue! All plants I’ve ordered are doing very well. Easy to work with if there’s an issue with orders; I sent pictures via email & received store credit. I did have to pay shipping again it is however fairly good prices so I didn’t mind that much. They have good sales often as well
I cannot wait till next summer to see these cardinal flowers brighten up my front yard. The plants arrived well packed and ready to plant.
Liked the information for plants, good for the nonprofessional gardener.
My Cardinal Flower is doing amazing. It arrived quickly, was packaged carefully, and is already attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
The plants arrived healthy and strong. Within weeks, they were blooming beautifully. Couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
Do cardinal flowers like sun or shade?
Cardinal flowers grow best in full sun to partial shade. They thrive in moist soil and love spots near ponds or streams. With plenty of light and moisture, they bloom brightly all summer.
Will cardinal flowers spread?
Yes, cardinal flowers spread naturally over time. They reseed and form small colonies, creating vibrant clusters of red blooms. With moisture and sunlight, they expand beautifully each year.
Do cardinal flowers come back every year?
Yes, cardinal flowers come back every year. They are hardy perennials that return reliably with proper moisture and sunlight. Once established, they reseed and continue to brighten gardens season after season.
Exposure
Lobelia Cardinalis Plant thrives in partial to full sun but also appreciates some shade, especially in hot climates. It prefers bright, indirect light to ensure vibrant blooms and robust growth.
Height at Maturity
Over 12"
Usage
Pollinator Plant
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
USPS
Planting Zones
3-9
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs
Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.
For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.
Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.
