Plant library · cardinal-flower
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Toxic to cats and dogs
A moisture-loving perennial with vivid scarlet spikes in late summer. Unlike most container plants it must never dry out — stand the pot in a saucer of water through summer.
Toxicity
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances.
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances.
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 2–4 days
- LightMedium light
- HumidityHigh humidity
- Temperature-10–30 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
- Crisp brown flower spikes — the roots dried out, even briefly
- Rosette rotting over winter — wet and cold together; move it out of the rain
- No flowers — too much shade, or the clump needs dividing
In the app
Add a cardinal flower to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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