Russell Lupine Seeds

All parts of this plant are poisonous, including the seeds. Exercise caution around children and pets. The purchaser assumes all liability relating to the use of this product.

Zones 9-10

• Lupine is a must-have for native and meadow gardens. In Zones 9 & 10, lupine seeds can easily be broadcast before the seasonal rains or transplanted out. Soaking the seeds overnight or scarification improves germination.
• This cool-season flower grows foliage one year and blooms in the second year.

Zones 2-8

• Direct sow or transplant after the danger of frost has passed.

Planting Lupine

• You can direct sow lupine seeds or transplant out your lupine plants. We recommend you broadcast seed into freshly irrigated soils—plant in a full sun location. Consider placement as lupine will reseed in the garden.
• To direct sow, broadcast seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered. Cover with 1/8” of finely sifted soil. You must provide adequate water for germination and root development.
• If you are planting lupine seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on top of the soil and cover with 1/8” of finely sifted soil. 

Growing Lupine

• Plant lupine into moist, well-draining soil for the best blooms. Lupine grows well in poor soil. However, adding compost to the growing area will help create a healthy soil structure and keep the soil moist.
• Mulching around your plants will also ensure the soil does not dry out. We do not recommend that your mulch touches the above-ground parts of the plant.
• Drought tolerant and fuss-free once after being established. Decrease the amount of provided moisture as the plant grows.

Harvesting Lupine

• Blooms from April to May in Zones 9 and 10. Can bloom from spring to summer months in other zones.
• Harvest early in the morning and place blooms directly in a vase of room temperature water.

Growing Lupine in Containers

• You can grow lupine from seed in a container but make sure your container is at least 10” deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much. 

Southern California Pro-tips

• Do not overhead water as this promotes foliar diseases. 

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Arroyo lupine grows well with other native plants and wildflowers.  Shop all our flowers here.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to your flower garden at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.