How to Grow Lupins
Lupinus
Plant border lupins in full sun to light shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They fix their own nitrogen so rarely need feeding. Watch closely for lupin aphid — large greyish-white colonies can kill plants if left unchecked. Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly to encourage a second flush and take basal cuttings in spring to propagate, as lupins are short-lived perennials lasting only three to five years.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needed — lupins fix their own nitrogen. Mulch with compost in spring.
Watch For
- Lupin aphid (major pest)
- Slugs on young growth
- Powdery mildew
Companions
Delphiniums, Iris, Geraniums, Alliums
Track your Lupins care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun to light shade; shelter from strong winds
Full sun to light shade. Best flowering in full sun with some shelter from strong winds, which can topple the tall flower spikes.
💧 Watering
Water in dry spells; well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Water regularly during dry spells, especially when flower spikes are developing. Avoid waterlogging — lupins prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
🌱 Fertilizing
Rarely needed; lupins fix their own nitrogen
Rarely needed — lupins fix their own nitrogen through root nodules. A compost mulch in spring is sufficient. Avoid lime which raises pH above their preference.
✂️ Pruning
Deadhead for second flush; cut to ground in autumn
Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly to encourage a second flush of smaller blooms. Cut all growth to ground level in autumn after foliage dies back.
🍂 Mulching
Autumn mulch over crowns for winter protection
Mulch crowns with compost or bark in autumn to protect over winter. This also helps suppress weeds and retain moisture around the shallow root system.
Growing Tips
Watch for lupin aphid
Check regularly for lupin aphid — very large greyish-white aphids that mass on stems and flower spikes. Squash early colonies by hand before they build up.
Deadhead for second flush
Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly to encourage a second flush of smaller blooms and to prevent lupin seed weevil from breeding in the pods.
No feeding needed
Lupins fix their own nitrogen through root nodules, so they rarely need feeding. Avoid lime which raises pH above their preference for slightly acidic soil.
Propagate by basal cuttings
Take basal cuttings in spring to propagate new plants. Lupins are short-lived perennials lasting only 3-5 years, so regular propagation keeps the display going.
Slug protection in spring
Protect emerging crowns from slugs in spring with ferric phosphate pellets or copper barriers. Young growth is very vulnerable in wet UK springs.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Lupin Aphid
Identification: Very large (4mm) greyish-white aphids massed on stems and flower spikes; plants become stunted and distorted
- Squash colonies by hand early in the season before they build up
- Encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies as natural predators
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide for heavy infestations
- Apply systemic insecticide containing acetamiprid or thiacloprid
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in leaves and stems; slime trails visible on and around plants; seedlings eaten overnight
- Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around emerging crowns in spring
- Use copper tape barriers or beer traps
- Encourage hedgehogs, frogs, and ground beetles
- Apply metaldehyde-free slug pellets (ferric phosphate is now the standard)
Pest Lupin Seed Weevil
Identification: Small brown weevils (3-4mm) on flowers; exit holes in mature seed pods
- Remove and destroy seed pods before weevils emerge if not saving seed
- Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly
- Rarely warranted; deadheading is the most effective control
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe spp.
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, especially in late summer; leaves may yellow and drop prematurely
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves; improve air circulation by thinning crowded growth
Prevention: Ensure good spacing; avoid overhead watering; keep plants well watered at the roots in dry spells
Disease Lupin Anthracnose Colletotrichum lupini
Symptoms: Dark sunken lesions on stems causing them to twist and curl; leaf spots; dieback of shoots; can kill the whole plant
Treatment: Cut out and destroy affected stems immediately; destroy severely infected plants
Prevention: Buy certified disease-free seed; avoid overhead watering; do not save seed from infected plants
Popular Varieties
Gallery Series, The Governor, Manhattan Lights, Russell Hybrids, The Chatelaine, Cashmere Cream, Beefeater
Log Lupins in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
Start planning free