Great Bush Lupine Plant Care
Caulanthus major Payson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Caulanthus major is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common name slender wild cabbage. It is native to the Great Basin and surrounding regions of the United States, where it grows on dry mountain slopes and similar habitat.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Great Bush Lupine?
Water Great Bush Lupine every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Great Bush Lupine Native To?
What Is the Great Bush Lupine?
Great Bush Lupine (Caulanthus major) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Caulanthus genus. Great Bush Lupine is native to the Great Basin and surrounding regions of the United States. Great Bush Lupine is also known as Great Lupine.
Great Bush Lupine displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Great Bush Lupine produces small, white to yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Great Bush Lupine?
Caulanthus major requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Great Bush Lupine Need?
Great Bush Lupine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Great Bush Lupine Prefer?
Caulanthus major grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Great Bush Lupine prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Great Bush Lupine?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Great Bush Lupine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Great Bush Lupine?
Feed Great Bush Lupine every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Great Bush Lupine?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Great Bush Lupine?
Great Bush Lupine can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.
Is the Great Bush Lupine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Great Bush Lupine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Great Bush Lupine?
Great Bush Lupine is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Great Bush Lupine Need?
Great Bush Lupine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Great Bush Lupine is native to the Great Basin and surrounding regions of the United States. In cooler regions, grow Great Bush Lupine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Great Bush Lupine is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Caulanthus genus (family Brassicaceae) — search all Caulanthus species in the plant lookup.
Great Bush Lupine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Caulanthus major Payson, family Brassicaceae (first published in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 9: 291 (1922 publ. 1923)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Great Bush Lupine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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