Are you interested in growing lupines, an herbaceous perennial plant that produces beautiful blooms? These plants can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or divisions. If you want to grow them indoors, they can thrive well in containers with proper lighting. Lupines prefer to grow in cool and moist locations, in full sun to light shade, and average soil. Before planting, the soil needs to be loosened to a depth of 12-20 inches, as they have long taproots.
If you choose to grow lupines from seeds, it’s best to give them a 7-day cold treatment or soak them in warm water for 24 hours before sowing them in spring or summer until August 1. The seeds should be sown at a shallow depth of about 1/4 inch under loose topsoil, 12 inches apart, and kept evenly moist until germination, which usually happens between 15 to 25 days after planting.
Plants grown from seed will flower in their first year. Pinching off spent flowers can help extend the blooming period, and applying organic fertilizer once a month promotes healthy growth and larger blooms. For dramatic results, you can collect lupines in borders or scatter them throughout the cottage garden.
To propagate lupines from cuttings, take a stem down to the trunk and plant it in moist and well-drained gravelly sand or other propagation media. Keep them covered during the propagation period and start cuttings in larger pots that can be transplanted outdoors without disturbing the roots. Avoid transplanting as the long taproot is sensitive and can damage the plant.
When saving lupine seeds, wait for the ripe seed pods to turn yellow and the seeds to rattle inside before placing them in a sieve box to crack open and collect the seeds. These tips can help you grow gorgeous lupines in your garden or indoor space.
