Lobelia erinus
(sold as Blue Splash)
Family: Campanulaceae
Common names: EDGING LOBELIA, TRAILING LOBELIA
Native to: Southern Africa
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: pendent, prostrate
Max height: 0.75 feet
Max width: 1 foot
Flower
magenta/purple, secondary color present, white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: part shade, sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: seed
flowers in spring
Soil type: loam
USDA Zone: zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: +20 to +30 °F
Water: regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
flower
flower
leaf
Of the 436 species of Lobelia, many are cultivated. Lobelia is a member of the Campanulaceae family that flower spring, summer, or fall. They grow in Zones 3-10 to 1-2 feet tall; Lobelia tupa can get to 6 ½ feet in height. They do best with regular watering. Both birds and butterflies come to this plant for nectar.
Lobelia attracts Danaus plexippus, MONARCH, Papilio rutulus, WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL, and Vanessa cardui, PAINTED LADY.
Lobelia cardinalis attracts Phoebis sennae, CLOUDLESS SULPHUR.
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
