Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus ‘Techno® Dark Blue’

Common Name: Annual Lobelia

Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in All Climates

Size: 6–10" Tall × 12–16" Spread

Growth Habit: Dense, 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 (Extends Longer in Mild Weather)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding for Best Flowering

Features: Deep Navy-Blue Blooms, Excellent Color Saturation, Dense Flower Coverage, Uniform Habit

Uses: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, Borders, Cool-Season Color

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Lobelia Plant Guidefor more in depth care details.

More About Lobelia ‘Techno® Dark Blue’

Lobelia ‘Techno® Dark Blue’ produces intensely dark blue flowers that bring a level of depth you rarely see in small flowering annuals. The blooms are tightly clustered across the top of the plant, creating a dense, velvety layer of color that reads almost like a solid cushion rather than individual flowers. When planted in groups or used repeatedly in containers, that dark blue becomes incredibly striking, especially against lighter foliage or flowers nearby.

One of the things that makes this variety so effective is how evenly the flowers cover the plant. Instead of a loose or airy bloom pattern, the flowers gather closely together across the foliage, giving the plant a rich, saturated appearance. From a distance, the entire plant almost looks dipped in blue, which helps it stand out clearly in containers or mixed seasonal plantings. The Techno series was bred with consistency in mind, and you can really see that when the plants mature. The growth habit is very uniform, with strong branching that fills in naturally without becoming lanky or uneven.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

I remember the first time we grew a full bench of ‘Techno® Dark Blue’ here at the garden center. Early Spring had just started to warm up, and most of the containers we were building were filled with the usual suspect. When the Techno Lobelias started to bloom, the color immediately stood out. Instead of the lighter sky blues that many people associate with Lobelia, this one had a noticeably deeper tone that almost looked navy in the morning light.

We’ve also found that the Techno series tends to grow very evenly across trays and plantings. When you’re building multiple containers, that consistency becomes incredibly valuable because each plant performs similarly. It creates a more professional, finished look where the containers feel balanced rather than random. But the real reason we continue growing this variety is the color. The blue is so deep that in certain light it almost looks velvety, especially when the plants are massed together. In larger containers or group plantings, that dark tone adds a layer of richness that lighter blues simply can’t provide.

Techno® Dark Blue vs. Other Lobelia Varieties

Techno® Dark Blue is prized for its reliability, uniform growth, and heavy early flowering. Unlike Rift Blue and Rift Purple, which trail more freely, Techno Dark Blue maintains a controlled, semi-mounded habit that works well in baskets, mixed containers, and mass plantings. Its deep blue color is saturated without being overpowering, giving it broad design versatility.

Compared to Magadi™ Compact Blue Bay, Techno Dark Blue offers slightly more movement while remaining predictable. It also feels calmer and more flexible than Hot® Purple, especially in professional or retail plantings. For gardeners seeking dependable performance with clean presentation, Techno Dark Blue is one of the safest and most versatile choices.