Photo: JerryFriedmanCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
King's Lupine Plant Care
Lupinus kingii S.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lupinus kingii (King's lupine) is a species of Lupinus, family Fabaceae, which can be found in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. Both the leaves and the pods are hairy with the later being 10 millimetres (0.39 in) long. In Utah, it is found only at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for King's Lupine?
Water King's 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 King's Lupine Native To?
What Is the King's Lupine?
King's Lupine (Lupinus kingii) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lupinus genus. King's Lupine is native to Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. King's Lupine is also known as Lupinus argillaceus, Lupinus aridus, Lupinus capitatus.
King's Lupine displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. King's Lupine produces showy spikes of pea-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a King's Lupine?
Lupinus kingii 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 King's Lupine Need?
King's Lupine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the King's Lupine Prefer?
Lupinus kingii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. King's Lupine prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a King's Lupine?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for King's Lupine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a King's Lupine?
Feed King's 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 King's 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 King's Lupine?
King's Lupine can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lupine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the King's Lupine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list King's 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 King's Lupine?
King's 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 King's Lupine Need?
King's Lupine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. King's Lupine is native to Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. In cooler regions, grow King's Lupine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
King's 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.
King's 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 kingii S.Watson, family Fabaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 534 (1873)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list King's 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: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0, 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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