Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form' Care Guide
Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form' is a compact selection of the American cardinal flower with small round leaves, suited to submerged and paludarium use.
Overview
Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form' is a compact selection of the cardinal flower, also traded as 'Mini', 'Kleine Form' or 'Nana'. It carries small, bright-green, round to slightly spoon-shaped leaves on short internodes and stays low and bushy. The dwarf form arose by mutation from the classic Lobelia cardinalis and has been in cultivation since around 2004. It grows well submerged and in paludariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Campanulaceae
- Genus: Lobelia
- Scientific name: Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form'
- Common synonyms: Cardinal Plant
Habitat
The parent species, Lobelia cardinalis, is native to the Americas, from southeastern Canada through the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia. It grows in wet places such as riparian zones, riverbanks, bogs and swamps, and is amphibious, able to grow with part or all of the plant submerged.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (low to high tolerated; compact growth under stronger light)
- CO2: not required, but improves compactness, color and growth rate
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Growth rate: slow to medium
- Maximum height: about 15 cm
Placement
The low, compact habit suits the midground, or the foreground in larger tanks. It forms new side shoots without trimming and develops into bushes under good light and nutrients.
Propagation
Propagation is by cuttings; side shoots are cut off and replanted into the substrate.
Common issues
Poor, slender growth is usually caused by a lack of CO2, low light, low nutrient levels, or a combination of these.