Lobelia Species, Devil's Tobacco

Lobeliatupa

Family
Campanulaceae (kam-pan-yew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Lobelia (low-BEE-lee-a)
Species
tupa (TOO-pa)
Synonym
Dortmanna tupa
Lobelia bicalcarata
Lobelia mucronata
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Chartreuse/Yellow
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Clayton, California

Encinitas, California

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Portland, Oregon(2 reports)

WALTERVILLE, Oregon

Austin, Texas

King George, Virginia

Artondale, Washington

Ridgefield, Washington

Seattle, Washington(3 reports)

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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E
Seattle, WA (Zone 8b) | July 2009 | positive

Dramatic hummingbird magnet from June through September. Looks spectacular in front of large bronze phormiums. I grow this in my South Se...Read More

A
Seattle, WA | May 2009 | positive

I have this growing in poor, dry soil, full sun, by the front door. It looks spectacular from July through September and comes back stron...Read More

L
Lebanon, PA | September 2004 | positive

TUPA (Lobelia tupa), a tall, variable plant of the high Andes, is also called tabaco del diablo ("devil's tobacco"). In Chile, the Mapuch...Read More

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