Care specifications
| Type | Stem |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Light | Medium (30–60 µmol PAR) |
| CO2 | Beneficial, not required |
| Fertilizer demand | Medium |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Max height | 6 in |
| Spread | 4 in |
| Placement | Foreground, Midground |
| Attaches to hardscape | No |
| Snail & shrimp safe | Yes |
| Temperature | 68–80 °F |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Color | Green |
| Trimming | Regular |
| Styles | Dutch, Nature |
Get Dwarf Lobelia Cardinalis
Propagation
Top the stems and replant; the thick stems root slowly but dependably, and bases resprout.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the cardinal plant when it is green?
The name comes from its emersed life: grown above water in ponds and bogs, Lobelia cardinalis throws brilliant scarlet flower spikes. Underwater it stays compact and green — purple-tinged stems at most — and never flowers, so aquarists are buying it for form, not color.
How do I create the Dutch street look with Lobelia cardinalis?
Plant a single-file line of stems diagonally from the front glass toward the midground, spaced about an inch apart, and keep them stair-stepped in height by trimming the front stems shorter than the rear. Its uniform leaf shape and slow growth are what make the effect maintainable.
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