Indian Tobacco Plant Care
Lobelia inflata L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lobelia inflata, also known as Indian tobacco or puke weed, is a species of Lobelia native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern United States to Alabama and west to Kansas.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to part shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Indian Tobacco?
Water Indian Tobacco every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Indian Tobacco Native To?
What Is the Indian Tobacco?
Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata) belongs to the Campanulaceae family within the Lobelia genus. Indian Tobacco is native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern United States to Alabama and west to Kansas. Indian Tobacco is also known as Wild Tobacco, Asthma Weed, Bladderpod.
Indian Tobacco displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Indian Tobacco produces tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Indian Tobacco?
Lobelia inflata requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Indian Tobacco Need?
Indian Tobacco thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Indian Tobacco Prefer?
Lobelia inflata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Indian Tobacco prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Indian Tobacco?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Indian Tobacco to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Indian Tobacco?
Feed Indian Tobacco every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Indian Tobacco?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Indian Tobacco?
Indian Tobacco can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cardinal flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Indian Tobacco Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Indian Tobacco, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Indian Tobacco?
Indian Tobacco is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Indian Tobacco Need?
Indian Tobacco grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Indian Tobacco is native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada south through the eastern United States to Alabama and west to Kansas. In cooler regions, grow Indian Tobacco as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Indian Tobacco is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lobelia genus — compare its care with other Lobelia species on PlantoScan.
Lobelia is part of the Campanulaceae plant family — browse all Campanulaceae genera and species.
Indian Tobacco thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lobelia Species
Other Lobelia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lobelia inflata L., family Campanulaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 931 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Indian Tobacco, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Indian Tobacco Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species