The lupine plant, beautiful and very easy to care for

View of the Lupinus mutabilis plant

Image - Flickr / Manuel MV

Lupins are very decorative plants that produce interesting spring flowers to brighten up a garden or patio. In addition, it has leaves that only increase its ornamental value by being webbed.

But of course, we can decide to buy a few copies, but if we do not provide them with the care they need ... we will end up wasting the money. So that this does not happen, we have made for you this file about her, the lupine plant.

Origin and characteristics

Lupines are native to Asia and America

Our protagonist is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the botanical genus Lupinus. It is popularly known as lupine, lupine, tremoso or lupine. It is native to America and Asia. It develops erect and robust stems, somewhat woody, 0,5 to 2 meters high. The leaves are webbed, about 20cm in diameter and green in color.

The flowers appear grouped in long and very cheerful inflorescences, lilac, white, deep blue or pink. The fruit is a legume inside which we will find seeds shaped like a flattened sphere.

Main species

The botanical genus Lupins comprises about 120 species, the following being the best known:

The white wolf

View of Lupinus albus in flower

Known as white lupine, white lupine or almorta, it is a plant native to the Mediterranean region that reaches a height of up to 120cm and that produces white or blue flowers.

Lupinus angustifolius

Lupinus angustifolius specimens in their habitat

Known as blue lupine, it is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean region that reaches up to 100cm in height and that produces bluish flowers in spring and summer.

View of lupinus angustifolius
Related article:
Blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius)

lupinus mutabilis

View of Lupinus mutabilis in flower

Known as lupine or tarwi, it is a plant native to the central Andes (Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador) that reaches a height of between 1,8 and 2m which produces bluish-lilac flowers.

Lupinus polyphyllus

Lupine flowers, a plant that repels aphids

It is a plant native to America that reaches a height of up to 2 meters which produces purple, fuchsia, white or yellow flowers in summer.

What are the cares?

If you want to get a copy, and you have no idea how to take care of it, this is your section:

Location

The lupine plant must be placed outside, in a place where the sun will shine for 3-4 hours. If you live in an area with a mild climate, for example, northern Spain where the sun's rays are not as strong as in the Mediterranean, you can have it in an area where it is more exposed to the sun.

Earth

Black peat, ideal for your lupine plant

  • Flower pot: universal growing medium (you can get it here) mixed with perlite (you can get it here) in equal parts.
  • Garden: the garden soil must be fresh, with good drainage.

Irrigation

Irrigation it has to be frequent: every 2-3 days in summer and every 4-5 days the rest of the year. In the case of having it in a pot with a plate underneath, the excess water must be removed ten minutes after watering.

Subscriber

From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, it must be fertilized with a fertilizer for flower plants (like this one from here), following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Plagues and diseases

It is a fairly resistant plant, both to pests and diseases, but it is true that if the conditions are not the most suitable it can be affected by:

  • Virus: are diseases caused by viruses that cause the appearance of colored mosaics on the leaves. There is no treatment. The only thing that can be done is to cut the affected parts and control the aphids, which usually act as vectors (transmitters) of these pathologies.
  • Mildew: it is a disease produced by a fungus that causes the appearance of a whitish-grayish powder on leaves, stems and fruits. It is fought with fungicide.
  • Aphids: they are insects of about 0,5 cm of brown, green or yellow color that adhere to the leaves - especially the tender ones - and in the flower buds to feed on them. They are fought with anti-aphid insecticides.
  • Sea Conches: they are mollusks that love to eat lupines. To avoid this you can place containers with beer near the plants, or put to the test these other anti-snail remedies.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to plant it in the garden is in spring, when the risk of frost has passed. If you have it in a pot, you have to change the container during the first year.

Multiplication

Lupinus micranthus, a precious lupine

Lupinus micranthus

Lupins multiply by seeds in spring, following this step by step:

  1. First, you have to fill a seedling tray (you can buy it here) with substrate for seedlings (such as this).
  2. Second, you have to water well, conscientiously.
  3. Third, you place a maximum of two seeds in each socket.
  4. Fourth, you cover the seeds with a thin layer of substrate.
  5. Fifth, water again, this time with a sprayer, to moisten the surface of the substrate.
  6. Sixth, stick a label in a socket on which you will have written the planting date and the name of the plant.
  7. Seventh and last, place the seedbed outside, in semi-shade.

Keeping the substrate moist, but not waterlogged, will germinate in 15-20 days.

Rusticity

Its ideal temperature range is between 30ºC maximum and -6ºC minimum; However, it can withstand higher temperatures if it is in semi-shade and if it is watered regularly, preventing the soil or substrate from drying out.

What uses do they have?

Ornamental

The lupine plant is very decorative. It can be kept in a pot, in the garden, in groups or as a solitary specimen.. The flowers they give are very pretty, so it is interesting to get a plant.

Culinary

The seeds of Lupinus angustifolius are consumed in the form of brined grain or in the form of a semolina prepared in cookies.

Medicinal

The species L. angustifolius is used as antidiabetic, to take care of cardiovascular health and for constipation.

Other uses

The seeds are also used to feed animals.

Where to buy?

You can find lupine at any nursery and garden store.especially in spring and summer, which is when they bloom. The price of a plant is usually around 7-10 euros, and an envelope of seeds 3-4 euros.

And with this we finish the special of the lupine plant. I hope it has been useful to you and you can get to have the garden or patio as cheerful as you always wanted.


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  1.   Raphael Bastidas said

    Good evening, this topic of lupine cultivation is interesting, where could I get some seeds to make a nursery ???

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Rafael.
      The seeds are sold in online stores, also on ebay.
      A greeting!