Photo: Sheri HagwoodPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Tree Lupine Plant Care
Lupinus arbustus Douglas
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lupinus arbustus is a species of lupine known by the common name longspur lupine. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Utah, where it grows in several types of habitat, including sagebrush and forests. This is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum of 70 centimetres (28 inches) tall. It is sometimes hairy in texture. Each palmate leaf is made up of 7 to 13 leaflets each up to 7 centimetres (2+3⁄4 inches) long. The inflorescence is up to 18 centimetres (7 inches) long, bearing whorls of flowers each up to 1.4 centimetres (7⁄12 inch) long. The calyx of sepals around the base of the corolla has a knoblike spur at the back. The flower corolla is white to yellow to various shades of purple or pink. The fruit is a hairy legume pod 2 or 3 centimetres (3⁄4 or 1+1⁄6 inches) long. There are several subspecies.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Tree Lupine?
Water Tree 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tree Lupine Native To?
What Is the Tree Lupine?
Tree Lupine (Lupinus arbustus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lupinus genus. Tree Lupine is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Utah. Tree Lupine is also known as Bush Lupine, Lupinus laxiflorus var. arbustus, Lupinus laxiflorus var. silvicola.
Tree Lupine displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tree Lupine produces showy spikes of pea-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tree Lupine?
Lupinus arbustus 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 Tree Lupine Need?
Tree Lupine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tree Lupine Prefer?
Lupinus arbustus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tree Lupine prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tree Lupine?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Tree Lupine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tree Lupine?
Feed Tree 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 Tree Lupine?
Repot every 2-3 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 Tree Lupine?
Tree Lupine can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lupine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tree Lupine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tree 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 Tree Lupine?
Tree Lupine is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. 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 Tree Lupine Need?
Tree Lupine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tree Lupine is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Utah. In cooler regions, grow Tree Lupine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tree 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 Lupinus genus — compare its care with other Lupinus species on PlantoScan.
Lupinus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Tree Lupine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lupinus Species
Other Lupinus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lupinus arbustus Douglas, family Fabaceae (first published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1230 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tree 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.
- Photo: Sheri Hagwood, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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