They are considered sensitive and yet easy to care for - the lobelia. If you grow fond of them and want to enjoy their splendor for a long time, you should not hesitate with the pruning shears, but use them!
Pruning the lobelia extends the flowering period
To extend the flowering period
The flowering period of lobelia usually begins in May. These plants are persistent until July and, depending on the type and variety, present their typical royal blue flowers. Do you want to admire the flowers longer? Then you should provide the growth with a cut!
Remove faded flowers
Cutting off the withered flowers prevents seeds from forming. At the same time, it stimulates new growth of the lobelia:
- Rebloom from September to October
- cut off wilted flowers
- Use hand hedge trimmers (€24.99) or secateurs (clean and sharp)
- alternatively: cut back the entire plant to 2/3 of its size (then 7 to 8 cm tall)
- after the 2nd flowering, tear out/dig up plants and compost
If you want to harvest seeds, you should not remove all flowers
If you want to harvest seeds, you should not cut away all the flowers. Leave 3 to 5 inflorescences. They form fruit buds and seeds. You can harvest them when they are ripe. But keep in mind: The formation of fruits and seeds takes a lot of energy from the lobelia, which means that the formation of flowers decreases significantly.
Pruning depends on growth
There are upright, cushion-forming lobelia such as the varieties 'Rosamunde' and 'Kristallpalast'. They just get cut down. For other varieties that grow hanging (e.g. 'Richardii'), you should also remove the tendrils, which can be up to 80 cm long. They also have flowers.
For winterizing perennial lobelia
Most lobelia available on the market die in the fall. The reason is the incoming frost, which these heat-loving plants cannot survive.
But with some species, such as the so-called perennial lobelia, it is worth quartering in winter. Such specimens should be cut back to a hand’s breadth above the ground in autumn.
tips
Cut back your lobelia on a dry, overcast day. Pruning on rainy days increases the risk of disease and pruning in the sun severely weakens the crop.