How big does Garden lupin grow?

About 1 m × 50 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.9–1.5 m × 45–60 cm.

What soil does Garden lupin grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic, sandy.

Is Garden lupin hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Garden lupin flower?

Flowering: May–July, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow.

How much water does Garden lupin need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Garden lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus

Garden lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is a perennial that reaches 1 m × 50 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €5.90.

Illustration of Garden lupin — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A cottage garden classic: tall, dense spikes in blue, purple, pink, red, white or yellow rise above hand-shaped leaves in early summer, and most plants sold for gardens are colourful hybrids. It likes slightly acidic to neutral, light, well-drained soil and a cooler, moist spot; in limy, heavy ground and in hot, dry positions it soon fails. It is short-lived and needs replacing after a few years; cut off the spent spikes so it can flower again and does not scatter seed.

Watch out for

In the cool, rainy uplands of Central and Northern Europe it escapes from gardens and sowings and takes over mountain hay meadows, abandoned grassland and road verges, enriching the soil with nitrogen and crowding out the local flora: in Germany the federal nature conservation agency classes it as invasive, in Switzerland its sale has been banned since September 2024, and it is treated as an invasive plant in Austria and Czechia as well. It is not on the European Union list. Do not plant it in a garden next to upland meadows on acidic soil, and everywhere stop it seeding by cutting off the spent spikes (the seed stays viable for decades). On limy soil it yellows and dies, it suffers in hot, dry summers and even in good conditions lives only 2 to 5 years. The large greyish lupin aphid colonises plants in masses and makes them wilt, powdery mildew is common and slugs eat young shoots; anthracnose and virus diseases also occur.

Considered invasive in a neighbouring country

It isn't listed here, but don't plant it near natural habitats, woodland or water, and don't leave the clippings outside the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1 m × 50 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–July, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1 m × 50 cm
Ultimate size	0.9–1.5 m × 45–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–July, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	50 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €5.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €5.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Perennials for pollinators Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

Looks good next to it

Persian ivy

Hedera colchica

Oregon grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Irish moss

Sagina subulata