Not edible
All parts are poisonous, the seeds and pods most of all (quinolizidine alkaloids). Toxic to people, dogs, cats and grazing livestock if eaten; keep children and pets away from the pods.
Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
Plant out around your last spring frost. Space plants 18 in (46 cm) apart.
Photo: George Chernilevsky, Public domain · source
When to plant
Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.
Optimal Transplant (Nursery Plant)
From a plantRecommended from a plant- Plant outaround your last spring frost
- First harvestlate spring-early summer, once established
Optimal Indoor Start
From seedRecommended from seed- Start indoors6 weeks before your last spring frost
- Begin hardening off1 week before your last spring frost
- Plant outaround your last spring frost
- First harvestlate spring-early summer, once established
Optimal Dormant Fall Direct Sow
From seed- Sow outdoors4 weeks before your first fall frost
- First harvestlate spring-early summer, once established
Growing lupine
- Spacing in the row
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Between rows
- 24 in (61 cm)
- Planting depth
- 1/4 inch; darkness aids germination. Soak seed overnight or nick the coat first.
- Sun
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-7), moderately fertile; dislikes heavy wet soil.
- Germination
- 14-21 at 55-75°F
- Harvest season
- Late Spring-Early Summer
- Mature height
- 2-4 feet
- Support
- Stake tall flower spikes in windy sites.
- Hardy to
- USDA zone 4
- Life cycle
- Perennial
Soak or scarify seed, sow 1/4 inch deep in deep cells 4-8 weeks before planting out.
Watering. Keep evenly moist; mulch to keep roots cool. Performs best where summers are cool.
Feeding
- How often
- Rarely: a legume that fixes its own nitrogen and thrives in poor to moderate soil; feeding gives foliage at the expense of flowers.
- Note
- A legume: a legume inoculant on the roots improves performance, and it needs little fertilizer.
Your lupine, planned to the day.
Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.