Photo: Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. PickartPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Seashore Lupine Plant Care
Lupinus littoralis Douglas ex Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lupinus littoralis is a species of lupine known by the common name seashore lupine. It is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in sandy habitat. It is a low perennial herb or subshrub growing in a clump or mat no more than 30 centimetres (12 in) tall. Each palmate leaf is divided into 5 to 9 leaflets up to 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) long. The herbage is coated in long, shaggy whitish or silvery hairs. The inflorescence is raceme of whorled flowers each around a centimeter long. The flower is purple in color with a white patch on its banner that fades pinkish. The fruit is a hairy legume pod 3 or 4 centimeters long containing up to 12 seeds.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Seashore Lupine?
Water Seashore 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 Seashore Lupine Native To?
What Is the Seashore Lupine?
Seashore Lupine (Lupinus littoralis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lupinus genus. Seashore Lupine is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to northern California. Seashore Lupine is also known as Coastal Lupine, Lupinus littoralis.
Seashore Lupine displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Seashore Lupine produces showy spikes of pea-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Seashore Lupine?
Lupinus littoralis 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 Seashore Lupine Need?
Seashore Lupine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Seashore Lupine Prefer?
Lupinus littoralis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Seashore Lupine prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Seashore Lupine?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Seashore Lupine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Seashore Lupine?
Feed Seashore 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 Seashore 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 Seashore Lupine?
Seashore Lupine can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lupine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Seashore Lupine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Seashore 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 Seashore Lupine?
Seashore 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 Seashore Lupine Need?
Seashore Lupine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Seashore Lupine is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to northern California. In cooler regions, grow Seashore Lupine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Seashore 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.
Seashore 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 littoralis Douglas ex Lindl., family Fabaceae (first published in Bot. Reg. 14: t. 1198 (1828)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Seashore 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: Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Seashore Lupine Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species