How to grow and care for Lupinus angustifolius L.
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Lupinus angustifolius L., Blue lupin, Foxtail lupin
Lupinus angustifolius L. 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright direct light
16C° ~24C°
Every 7 days
Botany Encyclopedia
Family : Fabaceae
👀 Characteristics details
Most leaves are alternate and have stipules.
🪴 Root&Soil
Most of them form symbiotic relationships with bacteria that can fix nitrogen in their roots. This allows them to thrive even in poor soil conditions.
Genus : Lupinus
🔖 Care Tips
Lupinus can be either perennial or annual, with perennials having a lifespan of 2-5 years. As a legume, Lupinus absorbs soil toxins and provides nutrients like nitrogen, enriching the soil for future plants. For indoor planting, sow seeds between December and February, and for outdoor planting, between March and May. It's best to transplant when seedlings have 4-5 leaves rather than sowing directly in the ground. To improve germination, soak seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours before planting. Then, sow the seeds and cover them lightly or not at all to allow light exposure. Maintain a temperature of 20°C, and expect germination in 1-3 weeks.
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
This plant primarily grows in America, the African Mediterranean, and North America. It thrives particularly well in dry, sunny locations.
🪨 Soil Mix
When planting in the yard, ensure proper drainage to prevent water from pooling, which helps plants grow healthily. It's important to plant in well-draining soil. A common soil mix includes 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% charcoal, but this can vary based on conditions. Plants with thick roots are difficult to transplant, so it's best to position them well initially to avoid root damage. A spacing of 40-60 cm between plants is ideal.
🌡️ Environment
This plant thrives at temperatures between 10-23°C. It can withstand a minimum of 5°C in winter, but growth may slow if temperatures exceed 25°C in summer. If it's a perennial that can overwinter, ensure the temperature doesn't drop below -4°C. In summer, it doesn't grow well in hot and humid conditions, so it's best to provide shade or ensure good air circulation to keep the temperature low.
☀️ Light
When planting in the yard, choose a spot with plenty of sunlight to ensure the flowers bloom well.
💧 Water
When the surface soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly.
🌱 Propagate
Propagation is typically done through seeds. When collecting seeds, keep the flower stalk intact even after the flower has withered. Although self-pollination is possible, the unique flower shape usually requires insect pollination. Artificial pollination is possible but challenging due to the flower's shape. To artificially pollinate, use a cotton swab or brush to transfer pollen from one flower to another, taking care not to damage the flowers. Unpollinated flowers will naturally fall off, while pollinated flowers will form pods. Once the pods turn black, separate them from the plant and dry them. Afterward, harvest the seeds from inside the pods.
🪴 Repot
If it's an annual plant, repotting is not necessary. However, for perennials like lupines, it's advisable to repot every 1-2 years in the spring. The roots are thick, making repotting challenging. Be careful not to damage the roots, as new roots may not grow easily.
💊 Fertilize
As a legume, it doesn't require much fertilizer. In fact, excessive nitrogen-rich fertilizer can acidify the soil, which is harmful to the plant. If you do fertilize, it's best to use a fertilizer low in nitrogen during spring, adhering to the recommended usage amount.
🌺 Flower
Flowers cluster together on long stems. Lupinus species typically bloom in spring and summer, so it's good to know their blooming period. If you remove the flowers as they start to wilt, there's a chance to see them bloom again, though the second bloom will be smaller than the first.
😵 Toxicity
Be cautious with pets and young children as it is toxic.
water
How to water Lupinus angustifolius L.
How often should I water?
check Lupinus angustifolius L. Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Lupinus angustifolius L. need?
Bright direct light
Bright indirect light
Grow light
Light preference
Lupinus angustifolius L. likes Bright direct light, Bright indirect light, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
2K ~ 20K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
2K
20K
Temperature
Natural habitat
-15
3~35℃
45
Houseplants
-15
16~24℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Lupinus angustifolius L. at home, make sure the temperature is 16~24℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Lupinus angustifolius L. prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Lupinus angustifolius L. is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Fabales, Family: Fabaceae, Genus: Lupinus, Species: Lupinus angustifolius
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Annual, Biennial |
| Hardiness Zone | 7 - 9 |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Lupinus |
| Species | Lupinus angustifolius |
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