Lupinus polyphyllus aka Garden Lupin

Taxonomy

Genus Lupinus Family Fabaceae Order Fabales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Lupinus polyphyllus, also known as the large-leaved lupine, big-leaved lupine, many-leaved lupine, blue-pod lupine or garden lupin, is a species of lupine native to western North America. It can be found from southern Alaska and British Columbia, and western Wyoming, down to Utah and California, often growing along streams and creeks in moist habitats. Lupines are ideal for beginners as they require less than an hour of care per month, and their tall, showy spires of flowers come in a variety of colors with impressive grayish-green textured foliage. Interestingly, the lupine's common name comes from the Latin word for wolf, as people once believed that the plant soaked up all the nutrients from the soil. However, like peas, lupines are capable of fixing nitrogen in the soil. Blooming from May to July, depending on the variety and growing zone, lupines can thrive in gardens or on the side of the road. On the other hand, the Big-Leaved Lupine is a relatively rare houseplant that prefers direct light and well-draining soil, often not needing added fertilizers if repotted every time it doubles in size. Like Lupinus polyphyllus, it also belongs to the Lupinus genus and is native to Western North America.

Common names

Garden Lupin, Bigleaf Lupine, Washington Lupin

How to care for Garden Lupin

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Garden Lupin is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Garden Lupin should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Garden Lupin loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Garden Lupin requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Bigleaf Lupine is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Garden Lupin to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Garden Lupin should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Garden Lupin as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Garden Lupin’s native range is Western N. America - British Columbia to California. A garden escape in Britain[17].

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Lupinus Genus

Lupinus lepidus Pacific Lupine

Lupinus Lupin, Lupine

Lupinus sellulus Donner Lake Lupine

Lupinus benthamii Spider Lupine

Lupinus arboreus Bush Lupine

Lupinus concinnus Bajada Lupine

Lupinus microcarpus Chick Lupine

Lupinus sericeus Silky Lupine

Lupinus longifolius Longleaf Bush Lupine

Lupinus mutabilis South American Lupin