Männertreu: More Than Just a Beautiful Gap-Filler

Männertreu (Lobelia erinus) creates a vibrant carpet of blooms in the garden during summer. This plant, with its delicate flowers, enriches any garden.

But Männertreu doesn't just look good in flowerbeds. It has also become a popular balcony flower and is excellently suited for cultivation in pots.

The plant Männertreu is also called the Blue Lobelia. Many mistakenly use the single name "Lobelia" for Männertreu, but this isn't entirely accurate. "Lobelia" describes an entire genus, Lobelia. Männertreu is merely one species within this genus and belongs to the bellflower family. The botanical name of the plant, Lobelia erinus, clearly indicates its proper classification.

Männertreu brings African flair to your garden, patio, or balcony. This plant originally hails from Southern Africa, with its native range extending from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to Botswana, Eswatini, and the South African provinces. Here in Germany, the plant has become a popular bedding and balcony plant, cutting a very good figure in flowerbeds, perennial borders, on the patio, or on the balcony.

Männertreu prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot in the garden. However, Männertreu also dislikes excessive heat and dryness. The plant feels particularly at home in fresh, moist soil that is also nutrient-rich and well-draining. In a perennial bed, Männertreu serves as an excellent gap-filler. Its mat-forming growth provides ample greenery and impresses with its colorful blooms.

On the balcony or terrace, Männertreu can also be cultivated without any problems in a plant container. Overhanging varieties create a sea of flowers in balcony boxes or hanging baskets, and carpet-forming varieties are also very well suited for underplanting here.