When to Plant Lobelia in USDA Zone 7b
Your June planting checklist for Zone 7b
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Indoor seed-starting week for lobelia
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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Basket week: lobelia
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: lobelia
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a cool-season annual prized for the intense cobalt blue that is rare among bedding flowers. It blooms most prolifically in spring and early summer but stalls or dies back during heat peaks above 90°F. In zones 3–7 it delivers a long display; in zones 8–9 it is best treated as a spring annual that fades by midsummer. Trailing types cascade beautifully from containers and window boxes.
In Zone 7b, the average last spring frost is around March 18 and the first fall frost is around November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.
Lobelia Planting Timeline — Zone 7b
Where Is USDA Zone 7b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 7b. Click any state to see the Lobelia planting schedule for that location.
Lobelia Planting Calendar — Zone 7b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 14 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Bloom | April 15 | Apr 15 – Jun 24 |
· 6" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 7b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 7b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
70–80 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
5°F to 10°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
235 days (Zone 7b average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 8 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Lobelia in Zone 7b
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Zone 7b
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine and requires light to germinate; surface-sow and press gently. Keep at 65–70°F. Not reliably direct-sown. Transplant in cool weather, 2–4 weeks before last frost date is acceptable in zones 5+. Shear plants by one-third after the first bloom flush to encourage a second flush in fall. Provide afternoon shade in zones 7+ to extend bloom into summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Lobelia Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Lobelia in Other Zones
Lobelia by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lobelia in Zone 7b?
In Zone 7b, plan your Lobelia planting around the average last frost date of March 18. Start seeds indoors around January 14. Transplant seedlings around February 18.
Can Lobelia grow in Zone 7b?
Yes, Lobelia can grow well in Zone 7b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 7b has a growing season of approximately 235 days, which is sufficient for Lobelia (70-80 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lobelia in Zone 7b?
In Zone 7b, expect to harvest Lobelia from April 15 – June 24. Lobelia takes 70-80 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 7b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 7b is around March 18, and the first fall frost is around November 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 235 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Lobelia?
Good companion plants for Lobelia include Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Begonias, Impatiens. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 7b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 7b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.