Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus ‘Rift Purple’ Common Name: Annual Lobelia Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in All Climates Size: 6–10" Tall × 12–18" Spread Growth Habit: 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 Early Summer (May Persist Longer in Mild Weather) Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding for Best Flowering Features: Rich Purple Blooms with White Accents, Dense Flower Coverage, Excellent Color Saturation Uses: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, Borders, Cool-Season Color

Patent: ❌ Not Patented Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

More About Lobelia ‘Rift Purple’

Lobelia ‘Rift Purple’ is prized for its deep, saturated purple flowers, offering strong contrast and richness in spring containers and mixed plantings. The blooms are held densely over the foliage, creating a bold block of color that reads well even from a distance.

The plant forms a balanced habit, mounding in the center with gentle trailing at the edges, making it adaptable for containers, window boxes, and border edges.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Rift Purple’ has performed best in cooler temperatures, delivering heavy early-season bloom with excellent color intensity. With consistent moisture, it maintains good form and continues flowering longer into the season than many standard lobelias.

We especially appreciate its versatility. The rich purple color pairs beautifully with whites, yellows, soft blues, and silver foliage, making it an easy choice for coordinated container recipes.

Lobelia ‘Rift Purple’ vs. Other Lobelia

Compared to blue selections like ‘Rift Blue,’ this variety offers a warmer, more dramatic purple tone while maintaining a similar growth habit.

When compared to heat-tolerant lobelias such as ‘Hot® Purple,’ ‘Rift Purple’ excels in cooler conditions, providing denser bloom earlier in the season. For gardeners seeking a rich purple lobelia for spring containers and borders, Lobelia ‘Rift Purple’ is an excellent choice.