Lupine plants are a genus of flowering plants in the legume family. They are native to the Mediterranean, North and South America, and Africa. Lupines come in a variety of colors and sizes, ranging from small annuals to tall perennials. They have pea-like flowers that can be blue, purple, yellow, white, or pink. The leaves are usually divided into leaflets and the stems are often hairy. Lupines are popular garden plants and are also used for erosion control, as a cover crop, and for green manure.
Planning Your Garden With Lupine
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Lupine is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Lupine is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Lupine is a cold-hardy plant and can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest lupine is 60-90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown lupine plant is between 1 and 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Lupine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant lupine in groups of three or more, spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | The sun tolerance of lupine varies depending on the species, but generally, lupines prefer full sun to partial shade. Some species may tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but in warmer climates, they may need some afternoon shade to prevent wilting. |
| Shade tolerance | Lupine is tolerant of partial shade, but it grows best in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Lupines prefer moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. They should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Lupines thrive in full sun and will need supplemental water during periods of drought. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing lupine depends on the soil type and fertility. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | Lupines prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Lupine is Popular
People like to grow lupine for its beautiful, showy flowers, its long flowering season, its low maintenance, and its ability to attract pollinators to the garden. Lupine is also a great choice for a naturalizing garden, as it self-sows and can spread easily.
Companion Plants For Lupine
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for lupine include:
Common Pests For Lupine
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow lupine, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- aphids
- spider mites
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
