Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Lobelia tupa
Devil’s Tobacco
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Height
- 4-6 feet
- Width
- 2-3 feet
- Flower color
- Red-orange
- Foliage color
- Gray-green
- Bloom time
- Late summer to fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Medium to high
- Maintenance
- Low; prune dead flower spikes to encourage new growth
- Growing zone
- 7-10
- Wildlife
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; deer resistant
About this plant
Lobelia tupa, or Devil's Tobacco, is a striking perennial native to Chile, known for its tall, spiky flower spikes that can reach up to 2 feet, adorned with vibrant red-orange tubular flowers that add bold color to the garden. Its lance-shaped, gray-green foliage adds a soft texture, while the blooms from late summer to fall provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. This low-maintenance plant requires occasional pruning of dead flower spikes and is a valuable addition to gardens, particularly for those looking to attract pollinators and add late-season interest.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
