45 Cardinal Flower Facts: Facts About This Beautiful Red Flower

The cardinal flower is a perennial flowering plant.

Cardinals are one of the native plants of North and South America. The native distribution of cardinals can be notably seen across Central America and Mexico.

The scientific name of the cardinal flower is Lobelia cardinalis. Other names used to refer to this flower are 'red Lobelia,' 'cardinal Lobelia,' 'Slinkweed,' and so on. However, these names are not used commonly.

Cardinals belong to the Campanulaceae family, which is commonly known as the bellflower family. Cardinal flowers are seen naturally growing in marshes, meadows, pastures, around ponds, rivers, and at the edge of woodlands. Read on to explore more wonderful facts about the cardinal flower.

Facts About Cardinal Flowers

Cardinal flowers are landscape flowers that have an aesthetic appearance. Some interesting facts about this flowering plant are listed as follows.

• The cardinal flower was introduced in Europe in 1600, by early explorers that set sail to the North American region.
• These explorers returned with plant species they found interesting, and ever since their introduction, cardinals have been accepted in Europe as naturalized species.
• Cardinals are known for their red flowers that are produced in late summer.
• The plant has leafy stems, with the central stem being light-green in color.
• The leaves of the cardinal flower plant are simple, which means that each leaf has a single undivided blade.
• Leaves emerge from the cardinal stem one at a time in an alternate pattern.
• These leaves also have a lanced shape with serrated edges.
• Tubular flowers of cardinals appear in a cluster on the top portion of the main stem.
• Cardinal flowers bloom during July and September.
• During the period when their flowers bloom, they attract hummingbirds and bees.
• The color red is an attraction for hummingbirds and bees.
• There is a two-way relationship between the cardinal flower plant and bees and hummingbirds.
• While the hummingbirds and bees feed on sweet nectar produced by the flower, the plant uses these birds and insects as pollinators.
• Cardinals are known to self-seed, which helps them to grow quickly.
• Several species of beautiful butterflies and moths lay their eggs on a cardinal flower.
• When eggs of butterflies and moths hatch, caterpillars and pupae stay on the leaves.
• These larvae forms of butterflies and moths become food for juvenile and newborn birds while staying on the leaves of cardinals.
• Cardinals are seen growing near ponds and rivers as these areas constantly have moist soil, which is necessary for them to thrive.

The Lifespan Of Cardinal Flowers

The lifespan of plants varies according to their individual characteristics as well as which species they belong to. Some fascinating facts about the lifespan of the cardinal flower plant are mentioned below.

• The average lifespan of the perennial cardinal flower plant is around three to four years.
• In comparison to some other flowering plants, the cardinal flower plant has a shorter lifespan.
• The lifespan of this flowering plant is also affected by the conditions it grows in.
• Cardinal flower plants may live the full term of their lives healthily if the soil they are planted in is kept evenly moist.
• The natural procedure of reseeding may also help these plants live a longer life.
• Individually, cardinals might have a short lifespan, but in colonies, they can keep regrowing through self-seeding.
• Natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts may also result in the premature death of these plants.
• Cardinal flowers may also die well before they are fully aged if they are not taken care of properly.

Ways To Use Cardinal Flowers

Each part of a cardinal flower plant has a specific use. Some uses of a cardinal flower plant are listed as follows:

• Cardinal flowers are popular as ornamental flowers because of their brightly colored appearance and aroma. Cardinal flowers are used as popular ornamental flowers for springtime occasions like weddings, graduations, birthdays, and more.
• The quality of this tubular flower makes the plant a part of many gardens for aesthetic purposes.
• These flowers are also used commonly in a bouquet or in a vase to decorate the inside of a house.
• The nectar present in cardinal flowers becomes food for a specific bird species, that is, hummingbirds.
• While there are many views on medicinal uses for cardinal flower plants, there are instances where they have been used to treat several health-related conditions.
• Some historical accounts suggest that tea made from the roots of the cardinal flower plant was used to treat typhoid, syphilis, worms, and stomach aches.
• Leaf tea made out of the same plant may also have been used as a traditional remedy to treat croup, colds, fevers, nosebleeds, headaches, and rheumatism.
• According to certain other beliefs and stories, the flowers and roots of cardinals were used in the past to create love potions and love charms. This can be done by finely chopping parts of these plants and adding them to food.
• According to some research that has been conducted, all parts of cardinal flower plants are toxic for humans if they are ingested in large quantities.
• Symptoms of poisoning from cardinal flowers include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, salivation, convulsions, dilation of pupils, exhaustion, and weakness.
• Cardinal flowers may filter pollutants and excess nutrients from the water to some extent.

How To Cardinal Flowers

Cardinal flowers are mostly grown in a garden because of their aesthetic appeal. They add beauty and color to a garden when their flowers bloom. Below are the steps required for growing cardinal flower plants.

• Cardinals can be grown from seeds or from potted nursery plants.
• Since cardinals can easily self-seed, one way to propagate a cardinal plant is by leaving the seed pods on the plant. This will allow the seeds to fall off naturally and propagate themselves naturally.
• Another way to grow a cardinal plant is to collect the seeds when they are ripe and sow them into the soil around the plant.
• Seeds of cardinal flowers can be collected from the seed pods, which are picked from a plant when they start to open.
• Seeds of cardinal flowers can be replanted instantly or can be stored in the refrigerator for planting in the spring.
• When planting cardinal flower seeds indoors, they first have to be refrigerated for several weeks so that they receive the necessary cold stratification they require.
• Seeds must be sown on the surface of a soil-filled pot a few weeks before the last spring frost.
• Seeds of cardinal flowers should not be pushed deep inside moist potting soil nor sprinkled with soil because they need light to begin the germination process.
• Pots must be placed in a bright location with a temperature of about 70 F (21.11 C).
• The soil must be kept moist while the seedlings are sprouting and developing.
• Pots can then be moved into direct sunlight for further growing.
• Seedlings can be planted in sunny areas of a garden when the threat of the last frost has ended.
• Cardinal flowers grow easily in moist areas with partial or full sunlight.
• This plant requires full sun as well as full or partial shade depending on the surrounding climate.
• In cold areas, the plant requires full sun exposure to grow properly.
• In hotter climates, proper growth of cardinals can be ensured with partial shade from the extreme heat.
• Cardinals flourish in moist and wet soils that are nutrient-rich, people find it difficult to grow cardinals in dry and barren soils.
• To retain moisture in the soil, you can add a layer of mulch to the soil surrounding the plant.
• Adding peat moss or compost in high amounts to the soil can greatly increase its moisture.
• Cardinals require plenty of water to grow and thrive.
• Watering regularly ensures that the soil is kept evenly moist. During summer months when rainfall is minimal, cardinals must be watered heavily at least twice a week.
• The cardinal flower plant can handle varying temperatures, however, it requires high humidity levels.
• Some of the cultivar varieties of cardinal flowers are not as cold-hardy as the original species.