Lobelia chinensis aka Chinese Lobelia

Lobelia chinensis has two common names: Chinese lobelia and creeping lobelia. It is part of Campanulaceae, the bellflower family. Its home range spans the central Himalaya to Japan. It also grows across China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Wild plants grow in rice fields, bogs, and damp meadows. They grow beside streams and among wet grasses, too. The species now grows wild in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There, plants grow along the Delaware River and can spread fast and far.

This small herb has soft stems and grows close to the ground. It is a perennial, living for more than two years. Some plant accounts call it biennial to perennial, so it may live just two years. In gardens, it forms a low ground cover that spreads. Missouri Botanical Garden describes mats about 0.17–0.25 feet [0.05–0.08 metres] tall. Its listed garden height reaches 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. Mats can spread to 3 feet [0.91 metres] wide. Other plant accounts give heights up to 1 foot [0.30 metres]. The leaves are tiny, and the thin stems branch. These stems creep or lie along the soil surface. Lower stem joints, called nodes, root and help patches spread.

Flowers range from pale pink to white. Missouri Botanical Garden gives bloom dates of July to October. Useful Tropical Plants reports blooms and fruit for almost the whole year. These accounts show that growing conditions affect the season. The blooms draw butterflies and hummingbirds. Its low growth suits pond edges, stream banks, and bog gardens. Gardeners can grow it in hanging pots, too. Its stems spread to cover damp ground.

Grow this lobelia in rich soil that stays moist. It grows in full sun or part shade. Shade after noon helps where summers are hot. Wet soil suits it, but plain garden soil works, too. Do not let that soil dry out between waterings. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. Mulch helps shield roots where winters are cold. It also helps limit frost heaving around the roots. This happens when frost lifts the soil. The plant needs a medium level of care.

Reports note few serious problems with insects or disease. Slugs and snails may eat the leaves. Seeds and creeping stems can spread past the planting site. Water can carry stem pieces that take root elsewhere. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses. It calls the species poisonous, though it has a long use as medicine. Chinese herbal medicine uses the plant, including plants gathered from the wild.