Quick answer: Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is native to 36 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Eric Hunt, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Moist-Wet, low drought tolerance |
| Soil | Clay, loam, sand |
| Bloom | Bloom Jul-Oct |
| Height | Up to 5 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Attracts birds and hummingbirds, special value to native and bumble bees |
All parts toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion/weakness, pupil dilation, convulsions, coma. Toxic compounds: alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, volatile oils
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Great blue lobelia
Where is Great blue lobelia native?
Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is native to 36 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Great blue lobelia bloom?
Great blue lobelia blooms Jul-Oct. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Great blue lobelia need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Moist-Wet, low drought tolerance. Soil: Clay, loam, sand. Mature height: Up to 5 ft tall.
Is Great blue lobelia good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Attracts birds and hummingbirds, special value to native and bumble bees.
Is Great blue lobelia deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Great blue lobelia is deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Is Great blue lobelia toxic?
All parts toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion/weakness, pupil dilation, convulsions, coma. Toxic compounds: alkaloids lobelamine, lobeline, volatile oils.
Where can I buy real Great blue lobelia seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Lobelia siphilitica on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Great blue lobelia.
- Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Cutleaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata
- Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
Also listed under
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