Lupine - Lupinus species - How to grow Lupines

The Lupine in one of our Iris beds is in full bloom, and it is indeed magical. While not fragrant like many of the Irises, it is a structural entity in the garden, even when not in bloom. The lupine is also a member of the Pea family, Fabaceae, which makes it useful as a cover crop, as forage and also as a companion plant to be intercropped with cucumbers, squash, broccoli, spinach and others.
The flowering or horticultural Lupine is a perennial plant, although among the almost three hundred species there are a few outlying woody trees and shrubs. Many treat Lupine as a biennial because they seem to die out after flowering the second year. Some varieties are more reliably perennial than others, so look for that when purchasing. Lupines do best in full sun, in well-drained average fertility soil. One can start seed (my preferred method) or you can find them at the better nurseries in pots for sale usually in spring.
Again depending on the species and variety, the flower color can range from yellow to blue, salmon pink to purple and almost red. Most of the types available as horticultural specimens are in the cooler range of purple to violet. The height is in the two-and-a-half to three-foot range when in flower, with multiple flower spikes emerging over a ten day to two-week period. Lupine flowers are not the best cut-flowers, but I have found if you cut them when no more than a third of the flowers have popped open (they open from the bottom of the flower working upwards), then they will last for several days in the vase. They are an unbelievably striking focal point in a large vase with just some fern leaves around the bottom.
The genus name Lupine comes from the root word lupinus, Latin for wolf. Lupine as an adjective also means savage, ravenous and predatory, all connected with the wolf. This may have something to do with the propensity for some species to become invasive, as on the South Island of New Zealand where L. polyphullus has covered stream banks and roadsides. The native Bluebonnet in Texas is a Lupine species L. texensis, but of course its predominance is welcome there as part of the spring display and indeed a deserving focus of festivals, tours and other events.
Easily started from seed, it is best to start lupine seeds indoors in late winter, allowing them to grow to a nice sized plant before setting out in spring. They prefer good garden loam, a sunny location and adequate moisture while growing. After they have flowered, they tend to go dormant and therefore don't need the rainfall that a vital plant would. That being said, by dead-heading (removing the spent flowers before they set seed) and by watering and lightly fertilizing them, they will re-bloom but more sparsely through the
summer.
There are not a lot of worries with Lupines, but I have noticed that aphids like ours. I wash them off with a stream of water every day or so, and they seem to get the idea that they are not wanted. They don't disappear, but they do make themselves less obvious.

[@michaeltraffas9446]

Okay, so the title of the video is "How to grow Lupines" but you didn't describe, like, how to grow lupines.

[@devdecker7812]

Full sun, to partial shade. Prefers well drained soil. Puts nitrogen into the soil. Companion plant for vegetables that pull nitrates. Said some other stuff too.

[@robintranchina6588]

What zones do they grow? Do they do better in cooler climate or the hot, damp climate of south Louisiana, Alabama & Florida?

[@terminsane]

​@devdecker7812 like, how to propagate them I guess. But yeah it wasn't titled how to propagate

[@leslierae6416]

I have a two year old lupin in my backyard, I’m amazed at how tall it’s gotten this year! Last year it was only maybe a foot tall or so, now it’s well above four an half feet!!! It has these gorgeous blooms in the most beautiful gradient of blue and purple. I’m in love!

[@sanchopanza3852]

This is my humble advice, you should come to the Patagonian area

[@juanitaiveyivey]

I'm growing this plant from seeds... Beautiful flowers

[@Gardenclips]

They are, aren't they! Thanks for watching, good luck growing!

[@littlemixerx365]

Did you manage to grow them?

[@maryf4982]

I'm doing the same - now they're just showing true leaves. What to fertilize them with?

[@saintmaxmedia2423]

Absolutely beautiful plant. I love lupins, remind me of my childhood. :)

[@blinkspacestudio8892]

It was love at 1st sight for me with this plant. I have a pot of them now ready to explode when it gets warmer. I just love the tower flowers they are so striking. Great for encouraging bees into the garden too

[@Gardenclips]

Thanks for watching! They are lovely!

[@marjorieklain7509]

I started some from seed. They are just ready to start getting their color. I am so excited!

[@Gardenclips]

Have fun!

[@scorp10fl53]

Appreciate your vid. Do you have another vid describing best time to cut foliage back after flowering? And the soil or maintenance ie. fertilizer vs compost. Also, I'm in region 5/6 and I've noticed a couple of times over a few years, I was sure it was going to flower again but did not. If it is flowering in late vernal equinox with light durations of 10-11hrs, and summer ends and days become shorter we also hit the 11-10hrs range at autumnal equinox. My Christmas cactus blooms twice, once each side of the winter equinox, the lupins bloom on both sides of the summer solstice. In both cases the first efflorescence is the best. Have you notice this?

[@water2mel]

I'm growing them from seeds. This morning I saw that they germinated. I'm gonna have pretty flowers next year :)

[@maryf4982]

How are they doing now? My seedlings are showing their true leaves, but I don't know what to do now. Fertilize them, but I'm scared to giving them too much!

[@water2mel]

@@maryf4982 they are just fine. I've already put them in the ground. I also have a few plants whose seeds I kept in water and planted them directly in the ground. It's interestring that the size difference between these and those planted in pots and replanted in the ground is not big. They are very resiliant. I just water them and nothing more and they are happy and green.

[@PenelopeShepherd]

Thank you. I have seedlings growing and will plant them next spring and overwinter inside - as it may well be too cold outside with frost and snow.

[@flaffylally]

in Sevilla they serve lupines in bars when ordering beer, specially in summer; they are delicious....

[@amydason9332]

WoW!very nice. Blue and whit I Love you.Amazing Flowers, Consider the lilies how they grow,they toil not,they spin not,and yet I say unto you , Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. LUKE.12,27

[@themoralshow902]

Amazing video ❤️😃 Fans from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰❤️😃

[@Gardenclips]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@peterstevens6555]

Kia ora koutou, from Auckland, New Zealand…

[@jmcvicker1073]

I'm searching for information on edible Lupines with no success however, I did find your video helpful. If you haven't done a video on the edibles please do consider it. Thank you!

[@Gardenclips]

Thanks for the suggestion Jenna, we'll see what what we can do about getting a segment together about edible Lupines! And thanks for watching!

[@prettybird2588]

I absolutely adore you I love your videos and I definitely take your advice. It's also the host plant for the Karner Blue butterfly.

[@Dispatern]

Good to know, thank you!

[@CAnative64]

I am new to this lovely plant, and have just bought 6 of them in different colors for my garden. I have three questions for you; 1) What type of fertilizer is best for them? Will a water-soluble be acceptable, and if so, what should the N-P-K ratio be? 2) When cutting them for using in vases, how far down the stem (below the bottom of the bloom) should one cut? Lastly, I have heard that 'deadheading' spent blooms is a good idea. Can you tell us whether or not deadheading (in this case) means 'pinching' the tops of the blooms off, or whether the entire bloom should be cut at the base of the bloom, leaving the length of the stem? - Your flowers are stunning and we want ours to look as good as yours. :)

[@Danny_Does_Drawings]

CAnative64 Lupines actually need very little care. They even grow in Iceland where their is almost no soil to speak of. As for deheading. DONT! I can't tell you how many baby lupine you will get if you let them go to seed. Also they are biennial. They don't bloom their first year. But for every other year after. They also get VERY large. Almost like a bush. However hybrids tend to die every year, I've had every color of hybrid and eye always die. Including the russel ones. I would get sundial lupines. They are a lovely blue and spread like crazy! Their are also other wild lupine colors including purple, yellow, and light blue.

[@CAnative64]

Thanks very much.

[@AR-fy2qo]

How to grow?

[@diananoonen2262]

What species do I need to grow Lupines for food? Do deer eat them?

[@GreenTipsGarden]

Wow! Beautiful specimens

[@crazyforcandles1]

can you eat them? do they have a bean like seed?

[@tammygurl64]

Wow, I thought I was going to see a video about Texas Bluebonnets but this plant is HUGE and looks like a tree! It's very pretty and the blooms are amazing. Is it planted and grown the same way as the Texas Bluebonnet?

[@kristycannon7923]

I have never seen any for sale anywhere. Are they mostly grown by seed? So beautiful!

[@lindseymiller9642]

I just bought mine at Wal-Mart today! Had never seen them til this year and it caught my eye!

[@kristycannon7923]

@@lindseymiller9642 cool thanks! :)

[@Gardenclips]

We've seen them at Home Depot as well as more specialized local nurseries.

[@csmith8106]

I got a beatiful one this spring with a foot tall purple bloom at Lowe's. I also found two other smaller ones at a local greenhouse which I thought were the same, but the turned out to be the "junior" variety and not so tall. They were pricey but think of the beauty year after year as a perennial!

[@07thomasdd]

Are you sure there is only one tree??? The laburnum tree is in the pea family and is from Europe. In fact there are two distinct laburnum species so thats two more trees to your list!

[@aidancampos5706]

D Pictures There are many trees in the Fabaceae family ( pea family ) some examples include the Laburnums, Redbuds, Several species of catalpa, many Amazonian Inga species, mesquite trees, Acacia, Mimosa, Locust, Palo verde and many many many more.

[@joan-lisa-smith]

Lovely vid of info on them but not a single thing on how to actually grow them as the title reads....am I direct seeding or starting them inside? etc etc

[@Gardenclips]

We hear you loud and clear and we hope to produce a more "hands on" video in the near future.

[@bethoberlander1222]

I have a perennial bush that I planted over 5 years ago, that was named "Jacob's Ladder". This looks exactly like the lupine I am seeing in the video, but a bit more purple. Could this be the the Bush type your talked about? It is a great performer, that blooms profusely; it does grow in a semi-shady space.

[@onlyoneamong300]

Love lupines! Can they grow in tropical, hot weather cities like Miami, FL?

[@ketogenicknowledge245]

You didn't mention they can be harvested for lupini beans, which are extremely low-carb.

[@bouelf]

I've some type of wild lupin not as big those one in the video but they get everywhere. I cut it along with the grass. I do keep some intact in various spots around the yard. But once they finish blooming for the season I cut it all.

[@RenanCMaia]

I bought seeds here in Brazil and I planted today.

[@fihsy40]

My lupine flowers stems are drooping what could be the problem

[@prosteelheader]

any tips on how to protect these from slugs and snails? we live in Washington state where spring is very wet, as well as summer. we have four lupine plants in a big bunch. the slugs absolutely destroyed them!! we tried everything we could think of. from copper tape to poisons. finally we cut them back to the ground just last week. thinking with the dryer weather they might come back without the slugs being quite as bad. thoughts?

[@maryannmay7105]

Thank you so much your videos are really helpful.

[@FEUTZlmc8]

Hi.. I live in Michigan and planted lupines this spring. I have read so many different things about dead heading them that I am now confused ! Should I do it or let the seed pods form ? They all have pods now. Should I let them go or cut them back ? Will they bloom again this summer ? Thank you !

[@bluebowser3121]

Slugs absolutely destroyed my lupins. My nasturtiums however survived the slugs somehow...

[@erniiie17xZ]

They are beautiful sir

[@sophias3508]

Does it have any toxic fumes? I let it for many hours inside the house when i bought it

[@GoBlue576966]

Have you tried harvesting the seeds from native plants? I've got two that have sprouted and I'm not exactly sure what to do with the little guys now. Any suggestions?

[@miamianz]

full sun in what zone? full sun at 8 am in florida or full sun at 8 am in the north east

[@charlaineandrulot891]

I love them....grow wild onCape Cod

[@zhangruyi3153]

I live in London, England and our lupins are driving me crazy because of the American lupin aphids. When I spray, then I kill the bumble bees and other beneficial insects. It breaks my heart that I have dig out most of the lupins this autumn and plant other things to save the bumble bees.

[@kelvinthompson2681]

Zhang Ruyi buy lady bugs ..

[@GreenTipsGarden]

I'd say don't spray, just squish them with your fingers. Or use soapy water.

[@maryf4982]

I heard that Neem Oil works to keep ants away. It's natural

[@ytrue483]

Bought 3 lupine about 2 feet tall, got fried with afternoon sun. I’m in northern cal. We had 110 degrees one weekend. I’m not sure if i can bring them back

[@Gardenclips]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe try again in a slightly shadier spot.

[@PetalsonthePavingSlabs]

great video, thank you for sharing

[@Gardenclips]

Thanks for watching!

[@Gardenclips]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@tramvo2053]

I heard that lupin flowers are poisonous, is that true?, thank u

[@rizqisetiawanfebriano4048]

Hello,im from Indonesia and this month is summer time,and then how to plant lupines for good???thankyou

[@lidiawilliams4837]

What do u do in winter with them ? Do you cut off the old flowers and just leave the leaves ?:)

[@Gardenclips]

Lidia Williams It will die back to the ground and the dead foliage can be removed in winter. New foliage appears in the spring!

[@aprilmaestre7542]

Very calm 😉 amazing 😍 RAD Hope someone can give me like this

[@sharonkeel7963]

How do I protect in winter in Virginia?

[@jamofalltrades9527]

Grate info mate cheers for that ps subbed mate

[@jor8701]

Hii I live in a tropical climate so it's basically summer the entire year can lupines grow in my region in containers in heavy shade?

[@Danny_Does_Drawings]

Johidi Rog yes. But you should grow from seed and keep them a little try.

[@Gardenclips]

Sounds like you've tried most tactics but there's a slug and snail management checklist here at UC Davis web page - www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html At home I've installed a small fish pond that attracted frogs and they seem to do a pretty good job of keeping the slug population down. PV

[@UberHowie]

Is it true that one plant only lasts a few years?

[@laurasilvera3766]

do the seeds need a cold period to germinate?

[@Gardenclips]

It definitely helps, as does scraping the seed coating, and soaking before planting.

[@aking9234]

I love lupines, not sure what spices we bought, some from the seeds in a little paper bag, some from the nursery store, they did well in the first year, but very bad at second year, attacked by aphids, no full bloom or even no flower at all. Very annoying and helpless.

[@ReidDAbadie]

I haven't mowed the lawn in a while and found a bluebonnet look-alike when I came back home. It seems to have purple looking flowers and lighter green stalk and leaves (they appear to form a star shape). I live in Huffman, Texas if that helps. I can try to get some pics tomorrow. Can anyone help me identify it?

[@joserichardson5771]

Reid D'Abadie it might be weeds I have about similar to what your describing all over my yard.

[@gcibazdtgcibazdt1798]

Seriously? How do you take care of them?

[@vistaprime]

do you attract hummingbirds with yours?

[@erniiie17xZ]

Do they stand winter?

[@kookoo9129]

Do they grow in shaded areas??

[@maemayberry2081]

beautiful, thank you.

[@g1j680]

Rabbit love them so much.. 😤

[@dare42615]

Nice!

[@AMonikaD]

....hi ! Why is there weird Arabic subtitles in your video?!

[@GrahamGibby]

Can anybody explain why it's spelled 'luPINE' when it's pronounced 'luPIN'?

[@GamertronicHD]

In germany its spelled luPINE and maybe the english word comes from the german.

[@kimtingchaleun2910]

I'm in zone 6, when do I start the seeds of Lupine?

[@Gardenclips]

"Early Spring" is a good guideline.

[@RoseTorn411]

Is lupine invasive and or toxic?

[@Gardenclips]

Generally Lupines are not invasive. Several varieties of lupines are toxic to animals and cause discomfort to humans when ingested. The poison is present in the foliage, but mostly it's in the seeds.

[@cke7156]

Are these poisonous?

[@bcrogers57]

And How to grow them...? Waiting...

[@sushmithachchunchusushmith3138]

how many days flower of seed

[@robolsen2887]

I watch the video because is says "How to grow Lupines". No where in the video does it mention "How to grow Lupines" except the amount of sun............

[@klaudiajulia6209]

😍🎶💜

[@iantayas4485]

Is it a perennial?

[@Gardenclips]

Ian it is a "short lived perennial" with a life span in the garden of two to five years generally. Thanks for watching!

[@الترجمةللثانويتأهيلي]

I love you mam 😍😘❤❣

[@nacht98]

I have alkaline soil, can´t grow lupines :(

[@angelamorris4023]

+nacht98 You can grow Lupins in flower boxes, made from wood, ( boxes with no bottom on it, ) just place it in a convenient spot, fill it with compost and they will grow. Box needs to be 4 to 6 inches deep approx. Hope this might help. Peter, Angela's husband.

[@Gardenclips]

+Angela Morris Thanks Peter, great idea!

[@annanhildebrand9667]

This isn't what I meant when I looked up Leviathan! *cartoon music

[@AMonikaD]

Ummm, but you never actually said HOW to grow them at all. Misleading title to say the least.

[@NumberOneSportFan]

It's not Lupin. It's lupine! Lu-peen. Lu-pine.

[@GreenTipsGarden]

I suppose it depends where you hail from. We say Loo-pin.

[@varneymorenolopez8063]

Guao

[@merelyanopinion]

Wrong video for me. I wanted to know how to grow lupins not a lecture on Genus.

[@Gardenclips]

Thanks for the feedback, we are going to do more "hands on" videos in the near future.

[@heynowutube2]

You didn't tell us how to grow lupines monkey!

[@KellyandDoug]

great video! we have uploaded a video all about lupins, on our channel we would love it if you check it out!

[@laurajones2032]

Not ce