Bloomipedia
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Photo: Laura J. Costello via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Cardinal flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly July–September across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Cardinal flower is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 27 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in July–September.

41states where USDA records it
27Bloomipedia state lists include it
46,864U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Quick look

Lobelia cardinalis, the cardinal flower, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae native to the Americas, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia.

  • It belongs to the Campanulaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 41 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In North Carolina, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–September. iNaturalist
  • In Virginia, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in July–September. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as summer. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5.9 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 3,532 research-grade sightings of it in North Carolina, ranking #40 among the 192 flowers on our North Carolina list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,512 research-grade sightings of it in Virginia, ranking #47 among the 189 flowers on our Virginia list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,026 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #74 among the 193 flowers on our New York list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (7,068 records)
Bloom time in the 27 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
North CarolinaNativeAugust–September3,532
VirginiaNativeJuly–September3,512
New YorkNativeJuly–September3,026
PennsylvaniaNativeJuly–September2,771
OhioNativeJuly–September2,661
TennesseeNativeAugust–September2,557
IllinoisNativeJuly–September2,457
MarylandNativeJuly–September2,360
MassachusettsNativeJuly–September2,164
MichiganNativeJuly–September1,995
AlabamaNativeAugust–October1,500
GeorgiaNativeAugust–September1,497
New JerseyNativeJuly–September1,199
IndianaNativeJuly–September1,096
ConnecticutNativeJuly–September1,018
MaineNativeJuly–September940
ArkansasNativeAugust–October933
KentuckyNativeJuly–September786
New HampshireNativeJuly–September689
South CarolinaNativeAugust–September684
MissouriNativeAugust–September682
West VirginiaNativeJuly–September671
LouisianaNativeAugust–October554
OklahomaNativeAugust–October455
MississippiNativeAugust–October443
Rhode IslandNativeJuly–September351
DelawareNativeJuly–September278

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 18 of our 27 states.
See each state
North Carolina
Not listed Not on North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301). NatureServe: S5, secure in North Carolina. 02 NCAC 48F .0301
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: S5, secure in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: S5, secure in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Tennessee
Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Tennessee. TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Georgia
Not listed Not on Georgia protected plants (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-10-.09; a 2026 update is proposed). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Georgia. Ga. R. 391-4-10-.09
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Kentucky
Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). NatureServe: S5, secure in Kentucky. 400 KAR 3:040
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: S5, secure in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
New York
Exploitably vulnerable On New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3): exploitably vulnerable (protected from picking without the landowner's permission). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alabama.
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Indiana.
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arkansas.
South Carolina
No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Carolina.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in West Virginia.
Louisiana
No list Louisiana has no state list of endangered or threatened plants separate from the federal list, so we show federal status and NatureServe's Louisiana ranks. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Louisiana.
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oklahoma.
Mississippi
No list Mississippi has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Mississippi ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Mississippi.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CO (S2), NE (S1), NV (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's on New York's rare plant list (exploitably vulnerable). 6 NYCRR § 193.3

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: medium). Poisonous parts: flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Nausea, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion and weakness, dilation of pupils, convulsions, and coma, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cardinal Flower” (Lobelia cardinalis) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, heart rhythm… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records cardinal flower in 41 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

North Carolina counties with USDA records: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Avery, Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pasquotank, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin, Yancey.

Virginia counties with USDA records: Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesapeake , Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Gloucester, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hampton , Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Newport News , Northampton, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Suffolk , Surry, Sussex, Tazewell, Virginia Beach , Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe, York.

New York counties with USDA records: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kings, Lewis, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schuyler, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Cardinal flower a low shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.8 to 7.8 and winter lows down to -34 °F.

Shade tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium
Soil pH range
5.8 to 7.8
Minimum temperature tolerated
-34 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
130
Annual precipitation range
28 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
12 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring
Fruit or seed
Blue · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
container, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LOCA2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Lobelia fulgens, Lobelia splendens.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 1385 counties across 40 states; the most are in Virginia (100), Illinois (84), North Carolina (79).

Other Lobelia on Bloomipedia (3): Great blue lobelia, Indian tobacco, Downy lobelia.

More from the Campanulaceae family (8 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Tall bellflower, Clasping Venus's looking glass, Creeping bellflower, Western harebell, Mountain harebell.

More North Carolina flowers

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American pokeweed

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🌼 Blooms in NC: June–September
Striped wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata)

Striped wintergreen

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🌼 Blooms in NC: May–June

Sources