Lupine — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Lupinus polyphyllus |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 12.8–18.3 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 365–730 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature height (cm) | 61–121.9 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Scarify seeds with sandpaper or soak overnight in water to soften the hard seed coat before sowing 1/4 in deep in cool, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Lupines fix atmospheric nitrogen via root nodules and thrive in lean soils without heavy fertilization — too much nitrogen promotes foliage over flowers. They prefer cool summers; in hot climates, they often perform as cool-season annuals, blooming in late spring and fading by midsummer. Deadhead promptly after the first flowering spike fades to encourage a second flush and prevent excessive self-seeding.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0