How to grow Lupins in the UK
Tall towers of flowers in early summer, like something out of a fairy tale.
- DifficultyA bit more care
- WhereBeds
- Sunfull sun or part shade
- Grows to90cm
- Spacing45cm
- Time to first pickabout 10 weeks
- Typeperennial
When to sow, plant and harvest lupins
| Plant | mid March to late May or mid September to late October |
|---|---|
| In flower | mid May to mid July |
Dates are for central England. Sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland, and up to two weeks earlier in the south and south west. Get the dates for your postcode.
Planting it
- Water your new plants in their pots first
- Dig a hole a bit bigger than the pot
- Tip the plant out gently, holding the leaves, not the stem
- Pop it in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well
- Space the plants about 45cm apart each way
Top tips for growing lupins
- Slugs love young lupins - protect them in spring.
- Cut the spikes off after flowering and you may get a second lot.
Soil and feeding
Poor soil - really!. Nasturtiums flower best in poor soil. Feed them and you get all leaves and no flowers.
Pests and problems
- Slugs & snails: munch seedlings overnight, worst in wet weather
- Blackfly & greenfly: tiny bugs that crowd the tips and suck the sap
- Protect young shoots from slugs in spring
- Squash greenfly with your fingers
Harvesting and eating lupins
Enjoy them! Cut off finished spikes.
Saving your own lupins seed
Late summer, when the pods are dry and rattle.
- Leave a few of the best pods on the plant - don't pick them
- Wait until the pods turn brown and papery and you can hear the seeds rattle
- Pick them on a dry day and pop the seeds out
- Spread them on a plate indoors for 2 weeks to dry completely
Where to buy lupins plants
Thompson & Morgan · Suttons · Amazon
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Lupins questions
When do I plant out lupins?
Plant lupins out from mid March to late May or mid September to late October.
When can I enjoy lupins?
Lupins is ready from mid May to mid July. Enjoy them! Cut off finished spikes.
How long do lupins take to grow?
Roughly 10 weeks from sowing or planting until the first harvest.
Are lupins easy to grow?
Lupins are rated 'a bit more care' for beginners, and can be grown in the ground or a raised bed.
Plan your own garden: it tells you what to do and when, for your postcode.
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