Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus ‘Hot® Purple’ Common Name: Annual Lobelia Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in All Climates Size: 6–10" Tall × 10–14" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding to Lightly Trailing Habit Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best Performance in Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade) Soil: Well-Drained, Moisture-Retentive Soil Water Needs: Moderate; Prefers Consistent Moisture Bloom Season: Spring through Fall (Excellent Heat Tolerance for Lobelia) Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding for Best Performance Features: Rich Purple Blooms with White Eyes, Improved Heat Tolerance, Dense Flower Coverage Uses: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, Borders, Cool-Season Color

Patent: ✔ Patented Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

More About Lobelia ‘Hot® Purple’

Lobelia ‘Hot® Purple’ delivers deep purple blooms accented with bright white eyes, creating bold contrast and excellent visibility in containers and mixed plantings. Unlike traditional lobelias that struggle once temperatures rise, this variety was bred for improved heat tolerance, allowing it to continue flowering well into warmer weather.

The plant forms a compact, well-branched mound with light trailing at the edges, making it versatile for both upright containers and cascading applications.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Hot® Purple’ has been one of the most reliable heat-tolerant lobelias we grow. It maintains strong color, dense flowering, and good overall vigor when provided with consistent moisture.

We especially appreciate its role as a color intensifier. The saturated purple pairs beautifully with whites, yellows, pinks, and chartreuse foliage, making it an easy addition to spring and summer container recipes.

Hot® Purple vs. Other Lobelia Varieties

Hot® Purple is grown first and foremost for its bold, saturated color, bringing a warmer, more energetic tone than traditional blue Lobelias. Unlike Cardinal Flower, which is chosen for height and permanence, Hot® Purple is a compact annual used for early-season containers and cool-weather color. Its rich purple blooms immediately stand out in mixed plantings, especially when paired with lighter companions. This variety is often selected when color impact is more important than refined structure.

Compared to softer trailing options like Rift Purple, Hot® Purple reads stronger and more assertive. It lacks the tight uniformity of the Techno® Dark Blue, and the disciplined form of Magadi™ Compact Blue Bay, but it compensates with visual punch. From a gardener’s perspective, Hot® Purple is the choice when you want Lobelia to be noticed rather than blended, making it ideal for high-contrast spring containers.