Life Span
Perennial
  
Annual
  
Type
Herbaceous Perennial
  
Flowering Plants, Shrubs
  
Origin
China, Japan, Korea
  
America
  
Types
Not Available
  
Lobelia aberdarica, Lobelia leschenaultiana, Lobelia canbyi
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Dappled Shade, meadows, Shady Edge, Sunny Edge, Woodland Garden
  
Open areas, River side, Woods
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-9
  
4-9
  
AHS Heat Zone
9-4
  
8-1
  
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Clump-Forming
  
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Blue, Red, Violet, White
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Ovate
  
Cushion
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Fall, Summer
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Well drained
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic
  
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
  
Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Summer, Mid fall, Mid Spring
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Wet Site
  
Not Available
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Divison, Seedlings
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Water once every two or three weeks
  
Form a Soil ring to water efficiently, Prefer drip-irrigation instead of Over-head watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Use Mulches to help prevent water loss during hot and windy weather, Water twice a day in the initial period
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Well drained
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Poorly Drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Remove the old foliage
  
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune after flowering, Prune to control growth, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
  
Fertilizers
Use a fertilizer ratio of 16-4-8
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
No serious insect or disease problems
  
Botrytis Blight, Crown rot, Pythium rot, Stem spot
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Yes
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Sometimes
  
Yes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Birds, Hummingbirds
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
coma, convulsions, Diarrhea, exhaustion, Nausea, salivation, Vomiting, weakness
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Bog Garden, Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Bouquets, Showy Purposes, Used for decorating walls, fences, gates, hedges, etc.
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antiasthamatic, Antispasmodic, Expectorant, Poultice
  
Asthma, Bronchitis, Croup
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Stem
  
Leaves, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Can be boiled and seasoned, pickled, Used as umbrellas by Japanese children, Used as walking sticks, Used like rhubarb
  
Showy Purposes
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Water Gardens
  
Bedding Plant, Bog Garden, Edging, Foundation, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
  
Botanical Name
PETASITES japonicus
  
Lobelia laxiflora
  
Common Name
Giant Butterbur, Japanese Butterbur
  
Lobelia
  
In Hindi
Giant Butterbur
  
Lobelia
  
In German
Riesen Pestwurz
  
Lobelie
  
In French
géant Butterbur
  
Lobelia
  
In Spanish
gigante petasita
  
Lobelia
  
In Greek
Giant Butterbur
  
λοβηλία
  
In Portuguese
Carrapicho gigante
  
Lobélia
  
In Polish
Giant Lepiężnik
  
Lobelia
  
In Latin
Giant Butterbur
  
Lobelia
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Anthophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Dicotyledonae
  
Order
Asterales
  
Asterales
  
Family
Asteraceae
  
Campanulaceae
  
Genus
Petasites
  
Lobelia
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Senecioneae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Asteroideae
  
Lobelioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available