- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
Variety Info
Family: Campanulaceae
Native: Africa
Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 10–11; otherwise grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Period: Spring to frost
Plant Dimensions: 4"–6" mound
Variety Info: ½" dark blue flowers heavily massed above low-growing foliage.
Attributes: Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. In Mild Climates, sow in late summer for winter color.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 60°–70°F.
Days to Emerge: 15–20 days
Seed Depth: Press lightly into surface
Seed Spacing: Sow in groups of 12–20 seeds, 4"–6" apart
Thinning: Not required.
Your hardiness zone is
- Laura H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/14/25Stunning Little Guys
These are very easy to sprout and are excellent container plants. The flowers can range from a blue to dark purple depending on what plants are around it. If you want to aim for a more blue like appears, planting them with the Tiny Tim Sweet Alyssum will help. The foliage can also look very dark with is a wonderful contrast with the bloom. I planted some Crystal Palace Lobelia with coleus this year that really highlighted to dark foliage and intense bloom color of the lobelia. LOVE these plants for their versatility in containers
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/15/25Hey Laura,
Wow, thank you for such a detailed and helpful review! You've really captured what makes Crystal Palace Lobelia so special - that gorgeous color variation and stunning dark foliage contrast!
We absolutely love your companion planting tips! The idea of pairing them with Tiny Tim Sweet Alyssum to bring out those beautiful blues is brilliant, and your combination with coleus sounds like it created such a striking display. These are exactly the kinds of insights that help fellow gardeners create those show-stopping container arrangements!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and growing wisdom with us and other gardeners. Reviews like yours help everyone get the most out of these stunning little plants!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- YvonneVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/19/255 Stars
Tiny seeds, good germination. I did direct sowing in early winter, it did take a while before the little leaves grew out. I am in Houston Zone 9, but here we have very hot summer and snowing/ icing winter. These baby leaves survived through winter and blooms nonstop in spring. So beautiful…
- Christine H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/9/255 Stars
The Lobelia 'Crystal Palace' seeds germinated easily after I followed the instructions on the outside of the packet. They bloomed a breathtaking blue in a pot in partial shade and kept blooming until frost last year. What a joy it was to walk by it every day! I'll plant more seeds there and in other pots this year.
- Susan E.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/12/245 Stars
It is so hard to write about something I haven't used yet...bought them for next spring...always liked your seeds in the past and would recommend them to all...
- Marcy G.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/24/245 Stars
Planning what to grow is almost as much fun as actually planting and eating.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate