YardRemake
A mature Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

In the landscape

NaturalizedRiparianWoodlandButterflyNativePollinatorRainWater

Data sources

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 2-4 ft × 1-2 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect pink, red and white blooms in summer and fall. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators, stands up well to wet soil.

USDA zones
3-9
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
High
Mature size
2-4 ft × 1-2 ft
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Moist, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color
Pink, Red, White
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Attracts
Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators
Tough against
Wet soil
Toxic to
People
Native to
Americas

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Cardinal Flower’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

See the Cardinal Flower in your own yard

Upload a photo and our AI designs with real plants like this one — matched to your USDA zone.

Related

More foliage