Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Lobelia inflata
Source: OWSL
image of Flowering plant
Lobelia inflata
Inflated Tobacco
Lobélie gonflée

Obsolete Names

Indian-tobacco
inflated tobacco
Seeds available at table Shade
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Blue Bloom period: Jul - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Annual plants that have a lifespan of one year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Lobelia inflata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Pacific Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Lobelia inflata

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Lobelia inflata

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Delphinium (Delphinium)
  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
  • Iris (Iris Cultivars)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting mean: Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.