Lobelia is one of the most versatile cool-season annuals in commercial horticulture — delivering intense blues, soft lilacs, crisp whites, and warm rose tones across hanging baskets, landscape beds, window boxes, and mixed containers. At Trailing Petunia Bulk Seeds, we carry four major lobelia series — Riviera, Palace, Regatta, and Starship — plus the classic Crystal Palace. Browse smaller retail packs at trailingpetunia.com/collections.
Riviera Series — Premier Trailing Lobelia for Hanging Baskets
- Lobelia Riviera Sky Blue — bright sky blue; best-selling basket color
- Lobelia Riviera Marine Blue — deep saturated blue with excellent contrast
- Lobelia Riviera Midnight Blue — darkest blue in the series
- Lobelia Riviera Mix — balanced blend for maximum retail appeal
- Lobelia Riviera Rose — soft rose-pink
- Lobelia Riviera White — crisp white for patriotic programs
- Lobelia Riviera Lilac — soft lavender-lilac for pastel programs
- Lobelia Riviera Blue Splash — blue with white eye; bicolor interest
Regatta Series — Trailing Lobelia Built for Heat Tolerance
- Lobelia Regatta Sky Blue — bright sky blue with excellent heat performance
- Lobelia Regatta Midnight Blue — deep rich blue; strong in warm conditions
- Lobelia Regatta Mix — full color blend for mixed basket programs
- Lobelia Regatta Rose — warm rose-pink for spring and fall programs
- Lobelia Regatta White — clean white; pairs well with any color
- Lobelia Regatta Lilac — soft lilac for pastel programs
Palace Series — Best Upright Lobelia for Landscape Beds
- Lobelia Palace Blue — classic deep blue; most popular landscape color
- Lobelia Palace Sky Blue — bright sky blue for high-visibility installations
- Lobelia Palace Blue Eye — blue with white eye; bicolor interest
- Lobelia Palace Royal — deep royal blue; bold in mass plantings
- Lobelia Palace Mix — full color blend for varied landscape programs
- Lobelia Palace White — crisp white for formal designs
- Lobelia Palace Lilac — soft lilac-purple for cottage styles
Starship Series — Bold Upright Lobelia for High-Impact Landscapes
- Lobelia Starship Blue — brilliant blue with large flowers
- Lobelia Starship Burgundy — deep burgundy-red; unique bold color
- Lobelia Starship Rose — warm rose-pink; excellent pollinator plant
- Lobelia Starship Scarlet — vivid scarlet-red; most striking lobelia color
- Lobelia Starship Scarlet Bronze Leaf — scarlet blooms with bronze foliage
Crystal Palace — The Classic Landscape Lobelia
Lobelia Crystal Palace produces deep rich blue flowers on compact mounded plants with distinctive bronze-green foliage — a staple in landscape beds and edging programs.
Lobelia Product Gallery
Riviera Sky Blue
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Riviera Marine Blue
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Riviera Midnight Blue
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Riviera Mix
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Regatta Mix
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Regatta Rose
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Palace Blue
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Palace Royal
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Palace Mix
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Starship Blue
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Starship Scarlet
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Crystal Palace
Shop NowGermination Protocol
| Stage | Temp | Light | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Germination | 70–75°F | Light required — do not cover | 10–21 days | Humidity dome; bottom heat |
| Stage 2: Stem emergence | 65–70°F | High light (2,500–3,500 fc) | 7–14 days | 50–75 ppm N |
| Stage 3: Plug development | 62–68°F | High light | 14–21 days | 100–150 ppm N |
| Stage 4: Transplant ready | 60–65°F | High light | 7–14 days | Harden off; 5–6 weeks total |
See also: Planting Lobelia and Strawflowers from Seed
USDA Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Late Feb – Early Mar | Late May – Early Jun | Not recommended | Short season; start early indoors |
| Zone 4 | Late Feb – Early Mar | Mid May – Early Jun | Not recommended | 10–12 weeks before last frost |
| Zone 5 | Early – Mid Feb | Early – Mid May | Not recommended | Spring and fall programs |
| Zone 6 | Late Jan – Early Feb | Late Apr – Early May | Not recommended | Succession plant spring and fall |
| Zone 7 | Jan – Early Feb | Mid Mar – Mid Apr | Not recommended | Spring and fall; summer gap |
| Zone 8 | Dec – Jan | Feb – Mar | Oct – Nov | Fall/winter/spring; avoid summer |
| Zone 9 | Oct – Nov | Jan – Feb | Oct – Nov | Winter annual; peak Oct–Apr |
| Zone 10 | Sep – Oct | Nov – Dec | Sep – Oct | Cool season only |
| Zone 11 | Sep – Oct | Oct – Nov | Sep – Oct | Winter annual only |
Succession Planting Schedule (Zone 6)
| Sow Date | Transplant | Finish | Target Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | Mar 1 | Apr 15–30 | Early spring / Mother's Day baskets |
| Feb 1 | Mar 15 | May 1–15 | Mother's Day peak / landscape installs |
| Feb 15 | Apr 1 | May 15–30 | Late spring / Memorial Day |
| Jul 1 | Aug 15 | Sep 15–Oct 1 | Fall landscape refresh |
Lobelia as a Pollinator Plant
Lobelia attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Pair with top bulk flower seeds to attract bees and butterflies and Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit in bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best lobelia seeds for hanging baskets?
The Riviera and Regatta series — trailing types with excellent heat tolerance and a wide color range.
What lobelia series works best for landscape beds?
The Palace series — compact mounded plants with excellent uniformity for mass plantings.
What is the difference between trailing and upright lobelia?
Trailing lobelia (Riviera, Regatta) cascades over container edges. Upright lobelia (Palace, Crystal Palace) grows in compact mounds for landscape beds and edging.
Are lobelia seeds pelleted?
Yes. All lobelia seeds are multi-pelleted for easy plug tray seeding in 288-cell and 200-cell trays.
What USDA zones can lobelia be grown in?
Zones 3–11 as a cool-season annual. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost.
How do I germinate lobelia seeds?
Sow on the surface — do not cover. Light is required. Maintain 70–75°F. Germination in 10–21 days.
How many seeds do I need for commercial production?
1 seed per cell. A 1,000-seed pack fills three to four 288-cell trays.
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