Inflated lobelia (Lobelia inflata) - seeds

The whole plant is toxic, seeds included. It contains lobeline and related alkaloids, which cause serious symptoms if ingested.

• Never ingest, in any form or at any dose
• Do not smoke or inhale, despite its historical nickname of Indian tobacco
• Handle with gloves and wash your hands afterwards
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• In case of accidental ingestion, immediately call 15 (French emergency services) or a poison control centre

Sale restricted to adults (18 and over).

A 0.5 gram packet, or about 1,700 seeds. They are extremely fine, almost dust-like: pour them onto a folded sheet of paper so you can sow them without losing any.

Sow in spring on the surface, without covering: these seeds need light to germinate. Press them onto a fine growing medium kept moist by misting, never by direct watering, which would displace them. Allow 18 to 22 °C and two to three weeks of patience.

A cold period of two to three weeks in the refrigerator, with the seeds mixed into damp sand, noticeably improves the evenness of germination. Prick out very gently: the seedlings are tiny at first.

An upright, angular stem 30 to 80 cm tall, sparsely branched, bearing small, discreet pale blue flowers with a white throat from July to September. The visual interest mainly comes afterwards: the capsules swell into small, very distinctive translucent vesicles, which stay attractive at the end of the season and keep well when dried.

It likes poor, sandy, rather acidic soils in full sun, and does not cope well with competition. It is a plant for bare ground, not for a dense border.

These seeds are sold as ornamental and botanical collector's seeds. They are not a food product and are not intended for any form of consumption. We provide no dosage, no preparation method and no expected effect.

Why not cover the seeds?
Because their germination is triggered by light. Seeds buried even 2 mm deep almost always fail.

Is it perennial?
No, it is a strict annual. Let a few capsules ripen if you want to collect your own seeds.

How does it differ from garden centre lobelias?
The blue lobelias sold in garden centres are Lobelia erinus, bedding and container plants with abundant flowers. Lobelia inflata is a wild species, taller, with much more discreet flowers, grown for its botanical interest and its capsules.

What soil does it need to do well?
Light, free-draining, poor, rather acidic soil, and full sun. Rich soil makes it grow leggy without making it any sturdier.

Also worth exploring: our seeds from around the world and our rare plants.