Lobelia tupa (Devil’s Tobacco)

Bring raw, architectural drama and a splash of fierce South American colour to your jungle border.

If you only know Lobelia as a dainty, trailing bedding plant, prepare to have your mind blown. Lobelia tupa (affectionately known as Devil’s Tobacco) is a towering, structural beast of a perennial that looks like it stepped straight out of a prehistoric landscape.

Native to the volcanic slopes of Chile, this spectacular plant is a must-have for anyone looking to inject true exotic impact, height, and architectural texture into a UK garden.

• Architectural Foliage: Long before the flowers arrive, Lobelia tupa earns its keep with massive, upright rosettes of velvety, felt-textured, grey-green leaves. It adds fantastic tactile contrast when planted alongside broad-leaved Musa (bananas), Tetrapanax, or glossy Schefflera.

• Fiery Summer Spires: From mid-summer right through into autumn, it throws up colossal, deep-purple stems topped with large, claw-like, blood-red tubular flowers. The protruding, ash-grey anthers give the flowers the look of a glowing cigarette—hence the name "Devil’s Tobacco."

• A Magnet for Pollinators: The exotic, nectar-rich blooms are absolute magnets for bees and butterflies, keeping your garden buzzing late into the season.

• Wind & Coastal Tough: Thanks to its sturdy, rubbery stems, it stands up remarkably well to wind, making it an excellent choice for coastal exotic gardens.

Growth & Care:

• Position: Full sun is a must. Give it a sheltered spot where it can bake.

• Soil: Rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive but well-drained. It loves a rich diet but hates sitting in stagnant winter wet.

• Size: Expect an ultimate height of 1.5m to 2m and a spread of around 1m.

• Hardiness: Rated H4 (hardy down to -5C  to -10C. It is reliably root-hardy across most of the UK. Just give the crown a thick, dry winter mulch in late autumn to protect it from heavy frosts and excessive wet.

Size & Presentation:

Supplied in a chunky, well-established 4-Litre container. These are heavy, retail-ready specimens with excellent root development and strong structural crown growth, ready to make an instant impact in your garden this season.

⚠️ Plant Safety: Like many members of the lobelia family, the milky sap can be a skin irritant and is toxic if ingested. Wear gloves when handling or pruning.