Once you’ve successfully grown Lupines, you’re likely to be hooked for life. You will love the outstanding color of densely-packed flower spikes, and the palmate foliage also graces the garden with fabulous texture and form.
Lupines are deer resistant and make a great addition to a low-maintenance meadowscape or cottage-style garden. Lupines attract bees and butterflies of all sorts with their multi- and bi-colored flowers, and are a great choice for pollinator gardens.
Lupines are a legume, which means that they fix nitrogen in the soil and they enrich your soil health. Intensively planting lupine can increase your soil fertility.
Some of our favorite native wildflowers across the United States are in the Lupine family, from the famous Texas Bluebonnet (L. texensis), to the eye-popping displays of violet-blue Arroyo Lupines (L.succulentus). Perennial Lupine (L. perennis), the classic favorite is still wildly popular, as are the impressively colorful Russell Lupine hybrids (L. polyphyllus), bred from Perennial lupines during the 20th century.
Annual Lupines, including Texas Bluebonnets and Arroyo Lupines, have a one-year lifecycle. In warmer climates with the right growing conditions, they may reseed. In colder climates where plants cant overwinter, its best to reseed each year.
Perennial Lupine and Russell Lupine are perennials, so these plants will return year after year from their established root systems.
Lupins are beautiful, spikes flowers that come in gorgeous colors like pink, white, blue, purple, yellow and red. They bring height and drama to the garden with their tall, upright habit and multiple stems that can reach 3-4 feet tall. Lupins also make excellent cut flowers and attract beneficial pollinators.
If you want to grow lupins from seeds, it’s easy to get started This article will explain when and how to plant lupin seeds both outdoors and indoors for success
When is the Best Time to Plant Lupin Seeds?
Lupins can be planted in spring or fall depending on the variety
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For annual lupins, plant seeds in early spring after the threat of frost has passed. They take 90-120 days to bloom.
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For perennial lupins plant seeds in late fall so they undergo a cold period that helps break down the tough seed coating. You can also plant in early spring after giving them special preparation.
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In warm climates, planting in fall allows lupins to flower in early spring. In cold climates, spring planting gives summer blooms.
How to Prepare Lupin Seeds for Planting
Lupins have very hard seed coats, so it’s important to prep them before planting by:
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Soaking: Place seeds in water for 24-48 hours. This softens the coat.
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Scarification: Gently scratch the coat with sandpaper. This mimics natural breakdown and allows moisture to enter.
You can also combine both soaking and scarification. The goal is to penetrate the hard outer shell.
How to Direct Sow Lupins Outdoors
Follow these steps for planting lupin seeds directly in the garden:
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Select a spot with at least 6 hours of full sun and well-draining soil.
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Prepare the soil by removing weeds, adding compost, and raking smooth. Lupins prefer slightly acidic soil.
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Plant seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep in rows 18-24 inches apart. Space seeds 12-18 inches apart within rows.
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Water gently after planting and keep moist until sprouts emerge.
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Consider covering beds with straw or mulch to retain moisture. Remove once seedlings are a few inches tall.
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Be patient! It can take 14-28 days for lupin seeds to germinate outside.
How to Start Lupins Indoors from Seed
You can get a head start by planting lupin seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost:
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Soak or scarify seeds as described above.
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Fill starter trays with sterile seed starting mix. Plant 1-2 seeds per cell, 1⁄4 inch deep.
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Water thoroughly until drainage holes show moisture. Place trays in warm spot (~70°F) with indirect light.
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Cover trays to retain moisture until sprouts emerge. Check daily and keep mix damp but not soggy.
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Thin to one seedling per cell after germination. Provide ample light.
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Harden off plants for 7-10 days before transplanting outside after danger of frost has passed.
Starting indoors gives faster, more uniform germination. Just be sure to acclimate lupin seedlings before planting out.
Ongoing Care for Lupins
Once established, lupins need:
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1-2 inches of water per week if rain is lacking. Avoid wetting foliage.
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Fertilizer or compost in early spring when plants are a few inches tall.
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Staking of tall varieties to prevent broken stems.
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Deadheading spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
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Cutting back foliage in fall after it dies back. Mulch for winter protection.
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Division of overcrowded plants every 2-3 years. Replant divisions to refresh.
With proper care, lupins will rebloom year after year and self-sow for new generations!
Troubleshooting Common Lupin Problems
Lupins are generally hardy, but may encounter these issues:
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Seeds don’t sprout: Old seeds can lose viability. Plant fresh seeds and prep them properly before sowing.
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Seedlings die after sprouting: Damping off disease is common indoors. Improve air circulation and avoid overwatering.
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Leaves are chewed: Slugs and snails can damage foliage. Remove pests and use organic bait as needed.
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Flowers dry up: Hot, dry weather causes buds to blast. Provide afternoon shade and extra water above 85°F.
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Stems flop over: Stake tall lupins before they reach full height to prevent snapped stems.
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Few blooms: Lupins are heavy feeders. Apply fertilizer in early spring to promote flowering.
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Plant dies: Lupins are short-lived, persisting just 2-3 years. Allow some seed pods to self-sow for new generations.
Popular Types of Lupines
Many lupine species and hybrids are available. Popular options include:
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Russell Hybrids: Most common garden type with dense, showy spikes up to 3 feet tall in various colors.
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Texas Bluebonnet: Shorter blue-flowered native lupine, 1 foot tall. Thrives in hot climates.
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Arctic Lupines: Intensely colored, shorter types for cold climates. Grows 1-2 feet tall.
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Yellow Lupines: Unique variety with bright yellow blooms instead of the usual blue/purple. 12-18 inches tall.
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Minarette: Compact, dwarf hybrid that grows 10-12 inches tall. Prolific blooms great for containers.
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Wild Perennial: Self-sowing wildflower native lupine with blue/purple spikes, 2-3 feet tall.
Saving Lupine Seeds
To save seeds for future planting:
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Identify dry, brown seed pods in summer. Pods will be 3-4 inches long.
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Collect pods when fully dry and seeds rattle inside.
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Place pods in paper bags to further dry and cure for 1 week.
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Crush pods to remove seeds; discard pods.
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Spread seeds on a screen to finish drying for 1-2 weeks.
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Store thoroughly dry seeds in airtight containers in a cool, dry location.
Saving your own lupine seeds maintains vigor and adaption while providing free plants year after year!
Growing Gorgeous Lupines
With their beautiful spikes of color, lupines make a stunning addition to gardens. They also attract pollinators and make gorgeous cut flowers. Follow the tips above for how to plant lupin seeds, and you’ll soon have lovely lupines growing in your own landscape!
The most successful way to germinate lupine seeds
What I found was that there is really only one way Id recommend preparing lupine seeds for sowing during the pre-season. My most successful combination of techniques (by far– like 100% germination far) involved scarification with a small, serrated knife, followed by 10 days between damp paper towels in the refrigerator.
Chipping off a portion of a seed coat with a knife might sound dangerous- and maybe it was, but I came away unscathed.
What I noticed was that the seeds that were “aggressively” chipped did best.
Here is what mine looked like after chipping, but before chilling. The ones on the left were some of the “aggressively” chipped ones. The ones are the right are un-chipped.
Lupine seeds: pre-chipped on the left and un-chipped on the right
I was initially worried that in exposing part of the vulnerable insides of the seeds Id ruin them. But, what really seemed to happen was that in opening a “doorway” to the seed, I allowed water to get in. The seeds swelled and all of them had sprouted by the time I checked on them 10 days later.
10-day lupine germination photo
Lupine sprouts: chipped and put in the fridge between damp paper towels for 14 days.
I forgot this batch in the fridge – some of them had already shed their seed coats by day 14. They planted out fine into soil blocks.
Lupine sprouts on day 20.
All said, Im pleased with the outcomes. Lupine have a tough seed coat for surviving difficult winters, but that can make them hard to sow with good results in the greenhouse. The seed packets said to expect 14-28 days for germination, so I was happily surprised to see ours sprout in less than 10 days.
How to Grow Lupins from Seed
FAQ
Can you just scatter lupin seeds?
Yes, with some caveats. Wild lupine seeds usually require cold+moist stratification before they’ll germinate. You can do this artificially in the refrigerator (~2 months with slightly damp sand), or just plant them this fall and leave them out on the balcony with a screen over the pots to prevent digging critters.
Do you need to soak lupine seeds before planting?
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Lupine Seed Coats:Lupine seeds have a hard, thick seed coat that can prevent water from reaching the embryo and hindering germination.
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Soaking Benefits:Soaking the seeds in warm water for 24-48 hours helps soften the seed coat, allowing moisture to penetrate and initiate germination.
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Alternative Method: Scarification:Another method to aid germination is to “scarify” the seeds by lightly roughening the seed coat with sandpaper or a file.
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Planting:After soaking or scarifying, plant the seeds in well-drained soil, ensuring good soil contact.
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Timing:Lupine seeds can be planted in very early spring, but tend to do better if planted in late spring and allowed to overwinter, blooming in the following spring.
Are lupins hard to grow from seed?
Growing lupins from seed is not too difficult and once they’ve established in your flower bed, they’ll return again next year and are even able to self-seed!Jul 27, 2022
How to start lupins from seed?
They can be direct sown in autumn where winters are mild. If starting indoors, scarify seeds by chipping, or soak in water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Sow shallowly, a couple of millimetres (1/8″) deep, and maintain a coolish soil temperature of 12-18°C (55-65°F). Seeds should germinate in 14-60 days.
When should I plant lupine seeds?
When to Plant Outdoors: Plant your lupine seeds after all danger of frost has passed, or in the fall. If you opt for the latter, skip the artificial cold stratification; winter cold and the frost cycle will do it for you. When to Plant Indoors: 6 to 8 weeks prior to last spring frost.
How do you plant a Lupin?
Sow the seeds 12 to 14 inches apart in planting containers. Lupine do best with potting soil that has a combination of fine and coarse particles. Cover the seeds with a shallow layer of soil. Rub the seeds with sandpaper to scar the surface. Lupines do well in cool weather and prefer a full- to partial-sun location.
Can lupines grow from seeds?
Lupines are among the easiest perennials to grow from seeds. Perennial lupine flowers typically take 2 years to bloom when grown from seed. You can buy seeds or harvest seeds from lupine’s seed pods in the fall. Start lupines from seed in the early to late spring. You can also plant them in the late fall for the following spring season.