Lupinus

( loo - PYE - nuss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs, commonly called Lupine or Bluebonnet, includes species which need full sun and have varying water requirements. The flowers on these plants will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Species are mainly native to the western United States, but are found in a wide range of habitats. Lupines bloom from late spring through early to mid summer. Use Lupines to add vertical height and drama to mixed beds and borders, as a cover crop or soil conditioning plant, for erosion control or soil stabilization, or simply as pollinator plants to draw beneficial insects into the garden. Take care when planting Lupine in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock if ingested.

Lupinus Species and Varietals

The genus Lupinus includes about 200 species and is a member of the plant family Fabaceae. It includes two subgenera, Platycarpos and Lupinus. The best growing zones for Lupine vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Lupinus affinis (Fleshy Lupine)
Native to the California Coast Ranges, this species reaches up to 20 inches tall at maturity. It produces purple-blue flowers with white patches (though flowers are sometimes plain white) between the months of March and May. Fleshy Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-10a.

Lupinus albifrons (Silver Lupine, White-Leaf Bush Lupine, Evergreen Lupine, Silver Bush Lupine)
This perennial species of Lupine is native to California and Oregon, where it grows in dry, open meadows, prairies, and forest clearings. Silver Lupine does well in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 16-24. Individual plants reach up to 5 feet tall by 2 feet wide, produce green-silver feathery leaves, and have blue to violet colored flowers. This species is considered invasive in Humboldt Bay, California.

Lupine alopecuroides (Lupin Lupine, Chocho, Borreguitas, Condaj)
Native to mountainous regions of Colombia and Ecuador, this species produces grey-green foliage that has a white bloom. It forms a central spike of tightly packed bluish flowers that have such wooly bracts that flowers are typically hidden. Plants reach up to just over three feet tall.

Lupine angustiflorus (Narrowflower Lupine, Narrowleaf Lupine, Narrow-Leaved Lupine, Blue Lupine, European Blue Lupine, Australian Blue Lupine, Sweet Lupin)
This species, native to California's volcanic soils in the northeastern region of the state, can reach up to over three feet tall when mature. Leaves are palmate, and greenish-grey. Flowers are cream to pale yellow-orange, and can be tipped with lavender. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Lupinus arboreus (Yellow Bush Lupine, Tree Lupin, Coastal Bush Lupine)
This species takes the form of an evergreen shrub and is best in USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b or Sunset growing zones 4, 5, 14-17 and 22-24. It is native to California's coastal areas and reaches 5-8 feet tall and wide. Fragrant flower clusters bloom in yellow, lilac, blue, white or a mixture of these colors. Great beachside plant that needs little to no water. This species is invasive in northern California and the Pacific Northwest in the United States as well as New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Lupinus arbustus (Longspur Lupine, Spur Lupine, Elegant Lupine)
These plants are native to western North America, and grows in sagebrush and forest landscapes. It is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching up to 28 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and has green palmate leaves. Flowers are light yellow to white, sometimes various shades of purple or pink. Longspur Lupine is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lupinus arcticus (Arctic Lupine, Subalpine Lupine)
These northwestern North American natives are common wildflowers, and grow from taproot. They produce purple flowers with white banners that can be tinged with pink. Leaves are dark green and hairy. Individual plants can reach up to between 6 and 24 inches tall at maturity. Arctic Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lupine arizonicus (Arizona Lupine)
This species is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of North America, and can be found in sandy washes. It is a common wildflower found around Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park. Plants reach up to 20 inches tall, and produce magenta to dark pink-purple flowers. Arizona Lupine is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8-10.

Lupinus bicolor (Miniature Lupine, Lindley's Annual Lupine, Pigmy-Leaved Lupine, Bicolor Lupine)
These plants produce dark purple and white bicolored flowers that bloom prolifically in spring and early summertime. Plants reach just 3 inches tall and have palmate green leaves. They thrive in poor, sandy soils and are great meadow companions for California Poppies. Miniature Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-9 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24.

Lupinus citrinus (Orange Lupine, Orangeflower Lupine, Fragrant Lupine, Mariposa Lupine)
This rare wildflower species is native to California in an area that spans from Mariposa through Fresno counties. It is an annual plant, reaching up to 2 feet tall and covered in small white hairs. Leaves are palmate, and flowers are light orange to yellow-white in color. Orange Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8b-9a.

Lupinus diffusus (Oak Ridge Lupine, Spreading Lupine, Sky-Blue Lupine, Blue Sandhill Lupine)
These plants reach up to 20 inches tall and produce palmately compound leaves and pale blue to pale violet flowers held on dense spikes. This species is native to the southeastern United States. Oak Ridge Lupine is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Lupinus excubitus (Grape Soda Lupine, Desert Bush Lupine, Inyo Bush Lupine)
This species produces flowers that are said to smell like grape soda. It is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Flowers are purple to reddish-purple and foliage is palmately lobed and greyish-green. Plants grow to reach 1.5 to 3 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity. Grape Soda Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7b-10a.

Lupinus formosus (Summer Lupine, Western Lupine)
These plants are native to California and Oregon and are widely known to be poisonous to humans and cattle. The species is widely spread across California, and blooms from April to August, producing purple to pinkish-orange flowers. Summer Lupine reaches up to 1-3 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide at maturity and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b.

Lupinus hartwegii (Hartweg's Lupine, Lupine, Lupin, Dwarf Lupine)
This annual grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-24 and is native to Mexico. Individual plants reach up to 1.5-3 feet tall and a foot wide at maturity when in bloom. Seeds should be sown in place in springtime for a summertime bloom. Cultivars include 'Pixie Delight' (to 12-18 inches in a range of pastel colors), 'Avalune' (bicolored crimson and white blooms), and 'Hartwegii Mix' (pictured; to 36 inches tall with flower spikes in blues, purples, and whites).

Lupinus hirsutissimus (Stinging Annual Lupine, Stinging Lupine)
These California native plants produce stems and foliage that are covered with stiff hairs that sting skin when touched. These plants are fans of recently-burned areas as well as chaparral and woodland habitats. They reach up to 8 inches tall and produce magenta to light pink flowers. Stinging Lupine is suited for USDA hardiness zones 7-10.

Lupinus spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Lupine)
These hybrids were bred for flower color, height, stem strength, and disease resistances. They need regular water for best performance in the garden. Cultivars are listed and described below:

Lulu
To 1.5 to 2 fee tall with striking dense bloom spikes in a mix of colors.

Minarette
Dwarf to 1.5 feet tall and wide with pastel bicolored flower spikes.

'Popsicle'
Series with blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, and bicolor flowers. 18-24 inches.

Lupinus kuschei (Yukon Lupine)
These plants are native to an area that spans from Alaska down into western Canada, and reach up to 20 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Flowers are dark purple with white markings. Yukon Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 1 to 4.

Lupinus latifolius (Broadleaf Lupine, Bigleaf Lupine)
These plants are erect perennial herbs that produce spikes of purple and whitish-pink flowers. The species is native to western North America. Individual plants reach up to almost a foot tall when in bloom. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Lupinus littoralis (Seashore Lupine, Chinook Lupine)
These North American native wildflowers prefer to grow along sandy coastlines on the west coast. They form low, perennial herbaceous plants with green-grey palmate foliage and pink to magenta bicolored flowers. Individual plants reach up to 1 to 1.5 feet tall and twice as wide. Blooming is most profuse between the months of May and August. Seashore Lupine is suited for USDA zones 6-9.

Lupinus luteolus (Pale Yellow Lupine, Butter Lupine)
These annual plants are native to coastal mountain ranges in Oregon and California, and can reach up to 5 feet tall. They grow in open clearings and disturbed soils. Flowers are borne on whorled spikes and are light yellow (though they can be blue or pinkish). This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7b-9b.

Lupinus microcarpus (Lupinus microcarpus densiflorus) (Chick Lupine, Valley Lupine, Dense-Flowered Lupine, Whitewhorl Lupine)
This annual flowering plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6b-10b or Sunset growing zones 3-24 and is native to California. They grow 1.5-2 feet tall and wide, and come in white, lavender, purple, yellow and pink. Sow in place in fall for a springtime bloom season; these need moderate to little or no water to perform well. Variety 'Ed Gedling' (pictured) is a great choice variety of this subspecies with yellow flowers.

Lupinus mutabilis (Tarwi, Chocho, Altramuz, Andean Lupin, South American Lupin, Peruvian Field Lupin, Pearl Lupin)
Native to the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, this species produces seeds that are rich in nutrients and protein. These annuals have hollow stems and purple flowers with golden yellow markings. Plants reach up to 5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide when mature, and are harvested for their seeds. Torwi plants are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Lupinus nanus (Sky Lupine, Field Lupine, Dwarf Lupin, Ocean-Blue Lupine, Douglas' Annual Lupine)
This annual grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 3-24 and is native to a region that spans from California up to British Columbia. Plants reach 8-24 inches tall and 9-12 inches wide when mature. Flowers bloom in springtime and are a rich blue marked with white. Sow seeds in fall or winter. No irrigation needed except in desert zones.

Lupinus nipomensis (Nipomo Mesa Lupine, Nipomo Lupine)
Endemic to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes on the southern border of San Luis Obispo County, this species forms colonies of spreading annual plants. It is a state and federal endangered species, and produces pink-purple flowers, sometimes with yellow spots. Nipomo Lupine grows to reach about 8 inches tall.

Lupinus perennis (Wild Perennial Lupine, Wild Lupine, Sundial Lupine, Blue Lupine, Indian Beet, Old Maid's Bonnets)
These plants have palmately compound green leaves and produce spikes of white, blue, purple, or pink flowers. Individual plants reach up to 1-2 feet tall when mature and in bloom. Wild Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. It is the sole larval host for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.

Lupinus polyphyllus (Large-Leaved Lupine, Big-Leaved Lupine, Many-Leaved Lupine, Blue-Pod Lupine, Garden Lupin)
This perennial grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 3-7 and 14-21 and is native to areas in California up through British Columbia. Reaches 1.5-4 feet tall and 2-2,5 feet wide. Summertime blooms are blue, purple, or red. This species is considered highly invasive in the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States, Canada, most of northern Europe (including Finland, Norway, and Germany) and Iceland. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Band of Nobles'
Seed mix with blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, white, and bicolored blooms.

'Beefeater'
Westcountry; 2-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with carmine red flowers.

'Blacksmith'
Westcountry; Bicolored purple and white flowers on a 2-3 foot tall plant.

'Blossom'
Westcountry; to 2-3 feet tall with satiny pink blooms.

'Cashmere Cream'
Westcountry; creamy white to light yellow flowers. 30-36 in. tall.

'Desert Sun'
Westcountry; 18-24 in. tall with yellow flowers.

'Gallery Mix' (Mini Gallery)
Seed mix with blue, red, pink, yellow, or white flowers. 18-24 in. tall.

'King Canute'
Westcountry to 30-36 inches tall with tightly packed indigo and white bicolor flowers.

'Magic Lantern'
Westcountry with dark purple and claret flowers and yellow standards. To 24-36 inches tall.

'Manhattan Lights'
Westcountry

'Masterpiece'
Westcountry with purple flowers that have red-orange standards. To 2-3 feet tall.

'My Castle'
Carmine to brick red flowers on a 3-4 foot tall plant.

'Persian Slipper'
Westcountry; 2-3 feet tall with lavender to purple blooms.

'Polar Princess'
Westcountry with pure white to pinkish flowers. To 2-3 feet tall.

'Rachel de Thame' Westcountry to 2-3 feet tall with magenta and pink bicolored flowers.

'Red Rum'
Westcountry variety with crimson and rose-red bicolored blooms. To 2-3 feet tall.

'Salmon Star'
Westcountry to 24-36 inches tall, with copper-salmon spikes.

'Tequila Flame'
Westcountry; to 2-3 feet tall when in bloom with bicolored lemon yellow and watermelon red blooms.

'Terracotta'
Westcountry to 2-3 feet tall when mature, with rusty peach, salmon, and orange-red blooms.

'The Chatelaine'
Bicolored pink and white flowers on a 24-40 inch tall plant.

'The Governor'
Dense spires of deep blue and white bicolor flowers to 2-4 feet tall.

'Towering Inferno' Westcountry

Lupinus prunophilus (Hairy Bigleaf Lupine, Chokecherry Lupin, Plumeless Lupine)
These medium-sized herbaceous plants are closely related to Lupinus polyphyllus. They produce green palmate leaves and 2-foot tall spikes that hold 25-68 dark blue-purple flowers. Leaves are palmately lobed and green. Hairy Bigleaf Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lupinus stiversii (Harlequin Annual Lupine, Harlequin Lupine)
This species was named to honor Charles Austin Stivers, who collected the first official specimen in 1862 near Yosemite. It is endemic to California, where it prefers dry, open habitats. These annual herbaceous plants reach up to over 1.5 feet tall and produce pink flowers with yellow banners.

Lupinus subcarnosus (Sandyland Bluebonnet, Texas Bluebonnet, Sand Bluebonnet, Flor Azul Silvestre, El Conejo)
These plants are native to southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico, and are annuals that reach up to 16 inches tall when in bloom. They prefer to grow in deep, sandy soils. With other related species of Lupines also called Bluebonnets, they are the state flower of Texas (along with a few other similar looking species). Sandyland Bluebonnet grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9.

Lupinus succulentus (Succulent Lupine, Hollowleaf Annual Lupine, Arroyo Lupine)
This California native annual is best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 7-24 and grows to be 3 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide at maturity. Foliage is lush and green and stems are thick, fleshy, and hollow. Fragrant springtime flowers are purple-blue and white. These flowers can be used for erosion control; prefers damp soil conditions (needs moderate to ample amounts of water).

Lupinus texensis (Texas Bluebonnet, Texas Lupine, Bluebonnet)
This species, alongside others, represents the state flower of Texas, and is native to Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and northern Mexico. It is an annual flower that reaches up to 1.5 feet tall with blue-purple flowers that have reddish throats. Cultivars include 'Alamo Fire' (also known as 'Aggie Maroon' or 'Texas Maroon', with deep wine-red flowers) and 'Abbott Pink' (with rose-pink spikes of flowers). Texas Bluebonnet grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10.

Lupinus truncatus (Collared Annual Lupine, Truncated Leaf Lupine, Blunt-Leaved Lupine, Collar Lupine)
These flowering plants are native to coastal mountain ranges from Baja California, Mexico up through the Bay Area, California. Plants grow in chaparral and woodland environments, including areas that have recently burned. They can reach up to 1.6 feet tall, and produce spikes of widely spaced reddish-purple to magenta flowers with a yellow or magenta patch in the center. Collared Annual Lupine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Lupinus variicolor (Varied Lupine, Manycolored Lupine, Lindley's Varied Lupine, Varicolored Lupine)
These plants are endemic to California's northern coastline, and is a main food plant for the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly. Individual plants reach up to 2 feet wide and between 1 and 2 feet tall and have a spreading habit. They are sometimes woody at their base. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Caring for Lupinus

Take care when planting Lupine in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock if ingested. Plant your Lupine shrub in full sun to partial shade, where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Soil should be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 5.0 and 6.8). These plants are nitrogen-fixing, and can tolerate poor soil conditions to a certain extent. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established (for the most part, this depends somewhat on the species grown), but will need consistent moisture for the most part especially during their active growing period. When the top inch of soil feels dry, water deeply. Apply a layer of mulch to increase soil moisture retention. These flowers do not require much fertilization, however if soil is poor, these flowers may benefit from a springtime feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

Deadhead flowers as they fade to clean up the appearance and to encourage more blooms to pop. These flowers do not need to be 'pruned', though it is a pretty common practice to take them down to the ground in early springtime after winter's chill has decimated the foliage. Lupine species can be either annual or perennial. Annual species are pulled and composted at the end of the growing season, or simply left in place to enrich soil. They are replaced in the next year with new plants. Perennial species of Lupine can survive in the landscape for between 2 and 5 years on average before needing to be replaced. These plants will re-seed and some will form clumps in the landscape, providing flowers for the garden indefinitely.

Harvesting Lupinus
Lupines make stately additions to cut flower arrangements, and come in many colors. They can be started indoors from seed if they are given adequately deep cells to accommodate their taproot. Cut flower support netting is suggested to prevent their tall, heavy flower spikes from snapping or bending under their own weight. Mesh with about a 6 x 6 inch grid is best. Lupines are typically available as cut flowers from late spring through early summertime. The best time to cut flowering stems is when the bottom 1 to 4 rows of florets are just beginning to open, in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears, make a cut towards the bottom of the stem at an angle. Place stems into a bucket of cool water immediately after severing. Lupine cut flowers have a vase life of 7-10 days.

Propagation

Lupinus can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. Note that division of Lupines is a delicate process, as they have long taproots that do not like to be disturbed. To propagate your Lupine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Lupinus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are fuzzy elongated green pods resembling miniature pea pods, and will turn dark brown to black when mature. When they dry completely, they will twist open explosively, launching seeds outwards away from the parent plant. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Lupine seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. Discard any seeds that float.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Lupinus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, gloves, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the taproot. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.

Lupine seed pods can hold 2 to 12 seeds each and explosively twist open to disperse seeds.

Lupine seeds are hard flattened pea-like beans, and are various shades of tan and brown.

Problems and Pests

Certain Lupine species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. The common pests and diseases that affect Lupine plants include: