Seeds Lobelia, Official

Lobelia, Official
(Lobelia inflata)

Lobelia Official, also known as Indian Tobacco, is a native biennial medicinal herb with delicate pale blue flowers and a long history in North American herbal practice. Traditionally used in small, carefully prepared doses, lobelia has been valued for respiratory and muscular support. In the garden, it thrives in open woodland edges and meadow settings, adding subtle bloom and ecological diversity.

Key Characteristics

• Traditional Respiratory Support Herb
  The aerial parts (leaves, stems, and seed capsules) have been used historically in Western herbalism to support respiratory function and as part of traditional expectorant formulas. Lobelia is a potent herb and has been used in very small amounts under knowledgeable guidance.
• Delicate Blue Flowers for Native Plantings
  Produces small, tubular pale blue to violet flowers along upright stems. Blooms are modest but attractive up close and add diversity to meadow and medicinal plantings.
• Native Biennial for Open Edges
  Forms a low rosette in its first year, then sends up a 1–3 foot flowering stalk in its second season. Well suited to meadow edges, lightly disturbed soils, and woodland margins.
• Reseeding & Naturalizing Potential
  Once established, lobelia can gently reseed in suitable open ground, contributing to a dynamic medicinal or native plant garden.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Lobelia inflata
• Native Range: Eastern & Central North America
• Plant Life Cycle: Biennial
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-dry, well-drained
• Mature Height: 1–3 feet (second-year flowering stalk)
• Bloom Time: July–September
• Bloom Color: Pale blue to violet
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9

Surface sow in fall or early spring; light aids germination. Choose a well-drained site with moderate fertility. Harvest aerial parts during flowering if cultivating for traditional herbal use. In permaculture systems, integrate into meadow strips or medicinal plant guilds where natural reseeding is welcome.

Lobelia Official brings native herbal tradition and subtle summer bloom to regenerative landscapes and medicinal gardens.