How to Grow Lupinus Plants
Guide to Growing Lupin, Lupine, and Bluebonnet
Lupinus plant reach from 30 cm to 1.5 m (1 to 5 feet) in height, depending upon species and variety.
They have stiff erect spikes that carry pea like flowers, these grow in racemes.
Lupin flowers come in a variety of colours including purple, blue, pink, white and yellow.
Lupinus 'Thomas Church' by Anniesannuals.
The perennial varieties of Lupinus come into bloom in the summer, whilst annual varieties will flower about two months after being sown.
Lupinus argenteus by Matt Lavin.
Some common names for Lupinus plants include Lupin, Lupine, Bluebonnet, and Texas Bluebonnet.
Commonly Grown Lupinus Species
Lupinus perennis
Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine / Wild Perennial Lupine / Sundial Lupine), photograph by Aaron Carlson; CC.
Lupinus polyphyllus
Lupinus polyphyllus (Large Leaved Lupine, Russell Lupin), picture by Bernard Spragg. NZ; CC.
Lupinus Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Lupin, Lupine, Bluebonnet, Quaker Bonnet. Genus contains over 600 species.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual, hardy annual. Hardy perennial.
Height: 12 to 60 inches (30 to 150 cm); shrubs/tree up to 120/310 inches (300/800 cm).
Native: Mediterranean, Americas, Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 1 to 9. As a perennial in zones 4 to 9.
Flower Details: Purple, blue, violet, yellow, white, pink. Peaflower-like. Open whorls. Spikes. Racemes.
Foliage: Green to greyish-green. Silvery hairs. Palm-like or single leaflet.
Annual: before last frost. Spacing 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm).
Perennial: before last frost or in autumn. Spacing 12 to 40 inches (30 to 100 cm).
Sow Inside: Use peat pots. Soak overnight in hand temperature water or chip seeds. Germination time: two to nine weeks. Temperature 60 to 65°F (16 to 18°C). Seven or eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors following the last frost or in autumn.
Family: Fabaceae.
Miscellaneous: Lupins are able to fix their own nitrogen and growing them enriches soil. This makes them an ideal plant to grow close to hungry vegetables such as pumpkins, spinach, and cucumber.
How to Grow Lupin, and other Lupinus plants in the Garden
Annual varieties of Lupinus should be sown following the last frost. The perennial varieties can be sown in either autumn or just before the last frost of spring.
The Lupin seeds should be planted at a depth of about 3 mm (1/8th inch), and can grow in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden that has good drainage.
Lupins prefer to grow in a moist soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7).
When starting to grow Lupins indoors for later transplanting, then this process should be initiated about eight weeks in advance.
The germination of lupin seeds can take from two to eight weeks.
First the lupin seeds should be chipped and soaked for a day in warm water. They should then be incubated at about 12 to 18 degrees centigrade (54 to 64°F).
Once ready, Lupinus seedlings should be transplanted in the garden with a spacing of 30 cm (12 inches; annuals) or from 30 to 90 cm (12 to 36 inches; small to large perennial Lupinus).
Caring for Lupins, Lupine - Lupinus
Once established Lupinus plants are fairly easy to look after. They require regular watering, and the spent Lupin flowers should be dead headed regularly.
It is best to feed them with a fertilizer rich in phosphorous and low in nitrogen.
When growing perennials, cut the flower stalks down to the base once the flowering season is over.
If you require more perennial Lupinus plants, then they can be propagated by division or from cuttings in the spring.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Lupinus plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Acacia melanoxylon, Harlequin Flower, and Trigonella plants.
If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF.
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