Plant guide

Large-leaved lupine.

Lupinus polyphyllus

Pronounced loo-PY-nus pol-ee-FY-lus

Also known as Big-leaved lupine, Bigleaf Lupine, Blue-Pod Lupine, Garden Lupin, Garden lupine, Large-leaf lupin, Large-leaved lupin, Largeleaf lupine

Lupines are stunning perennials that bring a classic cottage garden feel to your outdoor space. They are famous for their tall, colorful flower spikes that bloom in late spring and early summer. You will love how they add vertical interest to your flower beds.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Plant these in a spot with well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for aphids on the flower spikes and trim back the spent blooms to encourage a second flush. Make sure they get plenty of airflow to prevent powdery mildew.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flower spikes to promote more blooms.
Repotting: They prefer to stay in the ground, but if in a container, repot only when they become root bound.
Soil: Well draining, slightly acidic soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Safety

Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

How to identify it

Tall spikes of pea-like flowers
Palmately compound leaves with many leaflets
Sturdy stems reaching several feet high
Fuzzy texture on stems and leaves

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Lupinus
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your large-leaved lupine looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.