How to Grow Lupine from Seed: Tips for Starting Lupine Seeds
Growing Lupine Seeds
Do you want to grow your own lupine plants? Enjoying these plants at home is easy to do! This article will discuss the best tips for starting lupine seeds indoors and outdoors. We will also discuss when the best time to plant lupin seeds is and how to winter sow lupine seeds for a successful harvest.
History of Lupine Flowers
Lupine are wildflowers found in North America. The Lupinus genus is part of the Leguminosae family, which includes clover, alfalfa, and peas. This family of plants is unique in that it is able to add nitrogen to the soil. This process helps to fertilize the earth and promote plant growth.
Lupines come in various colors, including pink, purple, red, yellow, and blue. The blue lupine, found in fields and gardens across the continent, is the most common lupine in North America. Lupines have a long blooming season, often lasting from early spring to late summer.
These colorful flowers are a favorite among gardeners and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Although lupines are considered annuals, they often reseed themselves and return the following year.
Optimal Conditions For Growing
When planning to grow lupines, it is important to know their flower-growing zones. Lupines, a versatile plant, thrive in most soil types but prefer well-drained soil. They also prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. You can propagate lupines by seed, but you can also propagate them by division.
Lupines are hardy plants and will usually bloom the first year after planting. However, if you are growing lupines from seed, they may take two years to bloom.
Lupines From Seed
Seeding lupins can be challenging, but starting them indoors can give you a head start on the season.
Lupines are a member of the pea family; like other peas, they have a hard outer shell or seed coat that protects the seed inside. To germinate, the seed must first be scarified, or nicked, so that water can enter. Then soak the seeds for at least 24 hours in water.
Once you scarify the seed, you can sow it in a moist potting mix and place it in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not wet; in about two weeks, you should see the first signs of growth. Transplant them into the garden after the last frost date, lupines will bloom in early summer with an explosion of color.
So if you're patient and willing to give them a little extra care, starting lupine seeds indoors can give you beautiful blooms all summer long.
Winter Sowing Lupine Seeds
Lupines are a hardy perennial that adds color and texture to the garden. People typically plant lupines in the spring, but winter sowing is a great way to get a jump on the growing season. To winter sow lupin seeds, simply scatter them on the ground in late fall or early winter. Then, wait for the snow to cover the seeds and provide insulation from the cold.
The seeds will germinate in the spring, and the seedlings will be ready to transplant into the garden. Winter sowing is a simple way to get a head start on the growing season. It is also a great way to add lupines to your garden.
Preferred Growing Conditions
Lupine flowers thrive in various growing conditions, adapting well to different soil types. They prefer well-drained sandy soil or clay soils, which allows their long taproots to penetrate deeply and access nutrients. These plants can fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it with this essential element.
Lupines also do well in soils with organic matter, as it contributes to their overall health and robust flower spikes. While they can tolerate slightly acidic soils, they generally prefer neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Regardless of the soil type, lupines' adaptability and unique characteristics are pivotal in their successful plant development and striking bloom displays.
Lupine Seeds For Sale
We have a wide variety of lupine seeds for sale. Enjoy!
Resources
Enjoy our Growing Guide for flowers in the Resource Center. If you are interested in wild lupine seeds, please see our recent article on growing native plants.
