Lobelia

[Michelle KochStudent]

Where can I find Lobelia? Does it grow wild in the Magic Valley or north of Wells, Nevada? Is the ornamental Lobelia sold at the garden centers the same as that found in the wild? Thanks.

[IdahoHerbalist]

I do not know of any in this area other than what we are growing.

The stuff sold in plant shops is not the same we normally consider when talking about lobelia. It has different medicinal properties.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Okay thanks. Ill stick to what’s available in the area then. As has been mentioned elsewhere, it is uncanny how every region has a plant that will serve the same purpose as it’s counterpart in another region. For example, in southern Utah there is chapparel and here on the Nevada /Idaho state line we have Escoba de la Vibora for rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. Back east we have Golden Seal, but out west we have Oregon Grape Root.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Lobelia inflata is the one you want. Lobelia cardinalis is pretty good as well though not as strong. Both are easy to grow. The Lobelia in the nurseries in the hanging baskets is Lobelia erinus…different critter medicinally.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

A difference between inflata and cardinalis that is HUGE in my opinion is that cardinalis is perennial.

[Granny.BStudent]

How much weaker would you estimate the cardinalis is than the inflata?

And is dosage, how much would you need to increase the cardinalis to potentially equal a dose of inflata?

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Also, if I were to order some seeds and grow my own Lobelia, when is the best time to plant? Should I sow them in the fall? Do they need cold stratification? Should it be started indoors and then set out after the last frost, or can I just sow directly in the ground?

[IdahoHerbalist]

Regarding dosing: you should always figure out the dosing for your medicine. It will NEVER be the same especially if using a different purchase or lot.

Planting Lobelia can be done in the spring. We did some this year. It has already flowered and put on seed pods for us. Based on my experience PLANT A LOT and stagger the plantings through the spring if you want fresh plant material.

That is another benefit of cardinalis: it produces a larger plant.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Lobelia inflata self seeds well if you let it go to seed. I don’t know numerically ow much weaker the L. cardinalis is I always use the inflata. We’ve got L. cardinalis growing this year. Maybe we’ll do some experimenting next year when it’s happier.

You can sow directly into the dirt in fall or spring. I usually start them in little peat pots. The seeds are REALLY tiny.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

When I picked up some seedlings this year the Lobelia inflata I ordered turned out to be Lobelia Sapphire:( Is it medicinally the same as Lobelia inflata?

[IdahoHerbalist]

What is the scientific name? Sapphire is the varietal name.

[AnnettStudent]

All the tag says is, “Regatta Sapphire Lobelia.”

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

annett wrote: All the tag says is, “Regatta Sapphire Lobelia.”

Do you have a picture?

If it’s in a hanging basket, it’s probably Lobelia erinus, not our Lobelia inflata.

You can buy lobelia plants for companionplants.com

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

It would be cheaper to buy seed. Plants are expensive to buy for annuals like inflata. For the price of one plant you can get a packet. Even with 50% germination you will get DOZENS of plants.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

IdahoHerbalist wrote: It would be cheaper to buy seed. Plants are expensive to buy for annuals like inflata. For the price of one plant you can get a packet. Even with 50% germination you will get DOZENS of plants.

Yeah. that’s true. Lobelia is easy to grow from seed. The seeds are itty bitty…more like dust than seed.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Thanks so much. I’m going to plant some new:)

[Author]

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