Top 15 Lobelia to Grow from Seeds: Trailing & Upright Varieties
Lobelia is one of the most rewarding flowers you can grow from seed — brilliant blues, rich purples, soft pinks, and crisp whites that bloom prolifically from late spring through fall. Whether you're filling hanging baskets with cascading color or edging borders with compact mounds, there's a lobelia variety perfectly suited for your garden.
In this guide, we're covering the top 15 lobelia varieties to grow from seeds, split between trailing types (perfect for baskets, window boxes, and containers) and upright types (ideal for borders, beds, and mixed plantings). Every variety listed is available as premium pelleted seeds right here at Trailing Petunia — and in bulk at our Bulk Seeds sister site.
Already growing lobelia? Read our complete lobelia seed-starting guide for timing, germination tips, and transplanting advice.
Why Grow Lobelia from Seed?
Lobelia seeds give you access to a far wider range of varieties than you'll ever find at a garden center. Pelleted seeds make sowing tiny lobelia seeds dramatically easier — each seed is coated in a clay shell for precise placement and better germination rates. Starting from seed also means you can grow exactly the colors and habits you want, in the quantities you need.
Lobelia thrives in cool weather and is one of the best flowers for spring and fall color in containers and garden beds. It pairs beautifully with petunias, calibrachoa, bacopa, and sweet alyssum.
Looking for more cool-season flower inspiration? Check out our guide to the 15 Best Cut Flowers to Grow from Seeds and our roundup of What to Plant in August for late-season planting ideas.
🌿 Trailing Lobelia Varieties (Top 8)
Trailing lobelia varieties produce long, cascading stems that spill beautifully over the edges of hanging baskets, window boxes, and tall containers. They're among the most popular basket flowers in the world for good reason — they bloom non-stop and require minimal deadheading.
1. Regatta Blue Sky — Trailing Lobelia
One of the most popular trailing lobelias ever bred, Regatta Blue Sky produces a waterfall of sky-blue flowers on long, vigorous trailing stems. It's heat-tolerant for a lobelia and blooms from spring through fall with minimal care. Perfect for hanging baskets and mixed containers.
👉 Shop Regatta Blue Sky Lobelia Seeds
2. Regatta Sapphire — Trailing Lobelia
Regatta Sapphire is a deep, rich blue with a distinctive white eye — one of the most striking color combinations in the trailing lobelia world. The contrast between the intense sapphire petals and the bright white center makes this variety a showstopper in any basket or container.
👉 Shop Regatta Sapphire Lobelia Seeds
3. Regatta Lilac — Trailing Lobelia
For something softer and more romantic, Regatta Lilac delivers delicate lavender-lilac blooms on long trailing stems. It's a beautiful complement to white, pink, and purple container plantings and pairs especially well with trailing petunias and calibrachoa.
👉 Shop Regatta Lilac Lobelia Seeds
4. Regatta Mixture — Trailing Lobelia
Can't choose just one color? The Regatta Mixture blends multiple Regatta series colors — blues, lilacs, whites, and rose — into one stunning basket. It's the easiest way to get a full-color trailing lobelia display without buying multiple varieties.
👉 Shop Regatta Mixture Lobelia Seeds
5. Crystal Palace Blue — Trailing Lobelia
Crystal Palace Blue is a classic trailing lobelia with deep cobalt-blue flowers and bronze-tinted foliage — a combination that makes the blooms pop even more dramatically. It's been a garden favorite for decades and remains one of the most requested trailing lobelia varieties.
👉 Shop Crystal Palace Blue Lobelia Seeds
6. Palace Blue Sky — Trailing Lobelia
Palace Blue Sky offers a lighter, airier blue than Crystal Palace — a true sky blue that brightens any container or basket. It has the same vigorous trailing habit as the Palace series with excellent heat tolerance for a lobelia.
👉 Shop Palace Blue Sky Lobelia Seeds
7. Royal Palace — Trailing Lobelia
Royal Palace is a deep violet-purple trailing lobelia with a regal, jewel-toned intensity. It's one of the most dramatic colors in the Palace series and looks stunning paired with white or silver foliage plants in mixed containers.
👉 Shop Royal Palace Lobelia Seeds
8. Palace Blue Eye — Trailing Lobelia
Palace Blue Eye features rich blue petals with a contrasting white eye — a classic bicolor combination that adds visual depth to baskets and window boxes. It's a vigorous trailer that fills in quickly and blooms heavily throughout the season.
👉 Shop Palace Blue Eye Lobelia Seeds
🌸 Upright Lobelia Varieties (Top 7)
Upright lobelia varieties form compact, mounded plants that are ideal for border edging, mass plantings, and the front of mixed beds. They're also excellent in containers when you want a more structured, tidy look rather than a cascading effect.
9. Riviera Marine Blue — Upright Lobelia
Riviera Marine Blue is one of the most intensely colored upright lobelias available — a deep, saturated marine blue that holds its color even in warm weather. The Riviera series is known for exceptional heat tolerance compared to older upright varieties, making it a top choice for gardeners in warmer climates.
👉 Shop Riviera Marine Blue Lobelia Seeds
10. Riviera Sky Blue — Upright Lobelia
A lighter, brighter counterpart to Marine Blue, Riviera Sky Blue produces masses of clear sky-blue flowers on compact, well-branched plants. It's a classic border lobelia that works beautifully in mass plantings and as an edging plant along pathways.
👉 Shop Riviera Sky Blue Lobelia Seeds
11. Riviera Midnight Blue — Upright Lobelia
Riviera Midnight Blue is the darkest, most dramatic of the Riviera series — a near-black navy blue that creates incredible contrast in mixed plantings. Pair it with white alyssum or silver dusty miller for a sophisticated, high-contrast border design.
👉 Shop Riviera Midnight Blue Lobelia Seeds
12. Riviera Blue Splash — Upright Lobelia
Riviera Blue Splash features blue petals with a distinctive white splash or eye — a bicolor effect that adds visual interest and brightness to border plantings. It's a compact, free-flowering variety that performs well from spring through early summer.
👉 Shop Riviera Blue Splash Lobelia Seeds
13. Riviera Springtime Blues Mix — Upright Lobelia
The Riviera Springtime Blues Mix blends multiple shades of blue and violet from the Riviera series into one cohesive, harmonious planting. It's ideal for mass border plantings where you want a naturalistic, multi-toned blue effect without the uniformity of a single variety.
👉 Shop Riviera Springtime Blues Mix Lobelia Seeds
14. Riviera Rose — Upright Lobelia
Breaking from the classic blue palette, Riviera Rose delivers soft, warm rose-pink flowers on compact upright plants. It's a beautiful choice for pink-themed container combinations and adds a fresh, unexpected color to lobelia plantings. Early to bloom and long-lasting through spring.
👉 Shop Riviera Rose Lobelia Seeds
15. Sapphire — Upright/Compact Lobelia
Sapphire is a classic compact lobelia with deep sapphire-blue flowers and a white eye — one of the most recognizable and beloved lobelia varieties in the world. It's been a garden staple for generations and remains a top seller for good reason: reliable germination, compact habit, and non-stop blooms.
🛒 Shop Our Lobelia Seed Collection
Browse our full range of premium pelleted lobelia seeds below. Click any variety to shop — or visit our Bulk Seeds site for larger quantity packs.
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Regatta Blue Sky Shop Now |
Regatta Sapphire Shop Now |
Regatta Mixture Shop Now |
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Crystal Palace Blue Shop Now |
Riviera Marine Blue Shop Now |
Riviera Rose Shop Now |
How to Grow Lobelia from Seed: Quick-Start Tips
Lobelia seeds are tiny and require light to germinate — do not cover them with soil. Here's a quick overview to get you started:
- Start indoors: 10–12 weeks before your last frost date
- Germination temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Light: Surface sow — press seeds onto moist mix, do not cover
- Germination time: 14–21 days
- Transplant outdoors: After last frost when nighttime temps stay above 45°F
- Spacing: 6–8 inches for upright types; 8–12 inches for trailing types
- Best performance: Cool weather — spring and fall; may slow in peak summer heat
For a full deep-dive on seed starting, germination, and care, read our Complete Lobelia Seed Starting Guide.
Want to pair your lobelia with other cool-season favorites? See our guides on Pansy vs. Viola Seeds and the 15 Best Snapdragon Seeds for Cut Flowers.
Trailing vs. Upright Lobelia: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | Trailing Lobelia | Upright Lobelia |
|---|---|---|
| Best use | Hanging baskets, window boxes, tall containers | Border edging, mass plantings, mixed beds |
| Plant habit | Long cascading stems, 12–18" trails | Compact mounds, 4–8" tall |
| Top series | Regatta, Palace, Crystal Palace | Riviera, Sapphire |
| Heat tolerance | Moderate (Regatta series best) | Moderate (Riviera series best) |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Lobelia Seeds
What is the easiest lobelia to grow from seed?
The Riviera series upright lobelias and the Regatta series trailing lobelias are consistently the easiest to grow from seed. Both series offer excellent germination rates with pelleted seeds, strong heat tolerance for a lobelia, and reliable performance across a wide range of climates. For beginners, Riviera Marine Blue and Regatta Blue Sky are excellent starting points.
How long does it take lobelia to bloom from seed?
Lobelia typically takes 10–14 weeks from seed to first bloom. This is why starting seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before your last frost date is so important — you want plants that are already budding or blooming when you transplant them outdoors in spring.
Do lobelia seeds need light to germinate?
Yes — lobelia seeds require light to germinate. Surface sow them on top of moist seed-starting mix and press them gently into contact with the medium. Do not cover with soil. Place under grow lights or in a bright, warm location and keep the surface consistently moist until germination occurs (14–21 days).
What is the difference between trailing and upright lobelia?
Trailing lobelia varieties (like the Regatta and Palace series) produce long, cascading stems that spill over the edges of containers and baskets. Upright lobelia varieties (like the Riviera series and Sapphire) form compact, mounded plants that stay tidy and are ideal for border edging and mass plantings. Both types are grown from seed the same way.
Can lobelia survive summer heat?
Lobelia is a cool-season flower and may slow down or go dormant during peak summer heat, especially in zones 7 and above. The Riviera and Regatta series are among the most heat-tolerant lobelia varieties available. In hot climates, plant lobelia in a location with afternoon shade and it will often rebound and bloom again in fall when temperatures cool.
Are lobelia seeds perennial or annual?
Most garden lobelia varieties (Lobelia erinus) are grown as annuals in most of North America, though they are technically tender perennials. The Starship series (Lobelia speciosa) is a true perennial lobelia that returns year after year in zones 5–9. See our Starship Blue Perennial Lobelia Seeds for a perennial option.
What flowers pair well with lobelia in containers?
Lobelia pairs beautifully with trailing petunias, calibrachoa, bacopa, sweet alyssum, verbena, and dusty miller. For a classic blue-and-white basket, combine trailing lobelia with white bacopa and silver dichondra. For a bold, colorful container, pair upright Riviera lobelia with orange marigolds and yellow calibrachoa.
Where can I buy lobelia seeds online?
You can shop our full collection of premium pelleted lobelia seeds right here at Trailing Petunia. We carry trailing varieties (Regatta, Palace, Crystal Palace) and upright varieties (Riviera, Sapphire) in both small packs and bulk quantities. For larger orders, visit our Bulk Seeds sister site.
More Flower Growing Guides You'll Love
- Growing Lobelia from Seeds: A Complete Guide
- Best 15 Cut Flowers to Grow from Seeds
- 15 Best Snapdragon Seeds for Cut Flowers
- Pansy vs. Viola Seeds: What's the Difference?
- What to Plant in August: Best Flowers & Seeds
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