Is it easy to grow from seed?

Yes, just surface sow the tiny seeds in spring and keep them moist.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Plant guide

Indian tobacco.

Lobelia inflata

Pronounced loh-BEE-lee-uh in-FLAY-tuh

Also known as Indian tobacco, Indian-tobacco, Lowbelia, Puke Weed, inflated lobelia, inflated tobacco

Indian tobacco — Photo by Tom Norton (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming annual or biennial wildflower is native to North America. It is known for its small, pale blue to violet flowers that bloom in late summer. You will often find it growing in open fields or along forest edges.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Annual or biennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early fall

Care

Water regularly while young plants establish, then let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings, as this plant naturally grows in average to dry soils in open fields and disturbed ground. Ensure it has good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist at all times.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a longer blooming period.
Repotting: Since it is typically grown as an annual, repotting is rarely necessary.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Annual or short lived biennial.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Soil drying out much faster than usual.

Safety

People: All parts of this plant are toxic if consumed and can cause severe nausea or respiratory distress.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the toxic seeds and foliage are dangerous if ingested.
Contact allergens: Handling the plant may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically a major allergen.
Edibility: This plant contains toxic alkaloids and should not be ingested.

How to identify it

Small pale blue flowers
Inflated seed capsules
Hairy stems and leaves
Alternate ovate leaves
Milky sap when cut

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: light green, deciduous
Flowers: pale blue, white, 0.5 to 1.5cm
Fruit: green, tan, Fall

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: As an annual, it will die back completely after the first hard frost. You can leave the dried stalks for winter interest or clear them away in late fall.
In containers: It grows well in containers if kept consistently moist, using at least a 15 cm pot.

Seed

1. Collect seeds from the inflated capsules in late fall.
2. Surface sow seeds in a tray in early spring.
3. Keep the soil moist and provide bright, indirect light until germination.

Pair this plant with other moisture loving natives to ensure the soil does not dry out too quickly.

Grows well with

Blue Vervain · They share similar moisture requirements and look lovely together in a meadow setting.
Joe Pye Weed · This taller plant provides a nice backdrop for the smaller lobelia.

Similar species

Great Blue Lobelia · It is a larger, perennial relative with more showy blue flowers.

Science

Family: Campanulaceae
Genus: Lobelia
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: It is considered a weed in some areas but is a native species across much of North America.

It thrives in disturbed soils, fields, and woodland edges where it can quickly colonize open ground.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: medicinal history, wildflower garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it easy to grow from seed?: Yes, just surface sow the tiny seeds in spring and keep them moist.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Matthias de l'Obel, a Flemish botanist, while the species name refers to the inflated seed capsules.

Good to know

It is commonly known as Indian tobacco.
The plant was historically used by indigenous peoples for various medicinal purposes.
It is an annual or short lived biennial plant.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.