Lupinus angustifolius

RHS Plant Profile
narrow-leaved lupin

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narrow-leaved lupin RHS
Annual Biennial
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An upright, bushy annual to about 1m, with leaves composed of a whorl of narrow leaflets. Short spires of purple-blue, pea-like flowers are produced in summer followed by seeds that can be processed to make them edible

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Lupinus can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with palmate leaves and showy terminal racemes of pea-like flowers
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, light, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light, dappled shade. May be grown as green manure; see our video How to grow and sow green manure for advice, or lupin cultivation

Propagation

Propagate from seed (indoors or outdoors)

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage more flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and lupin aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, rots, a leaf spot and a virus