How much sun does Bush lupine need?

Bush lupine grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Bush lupine bloom?

Bush lupine blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is Bush lupine native?

Bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Bush lupine host?

Bush lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue butterfly.

Bush lupine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lupinus arboreus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

36"–72" H × 48"–72" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bumble bees, native bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A fast-growing, mounding shrub with soft gray-green palmate leaves and tall spikes of fragrant yellow flowers. Coastal populations can become woody and sprawling with age.

Wildlife value

Host plant for silvery blue butterfly.

A larval host for the silvery blue butterfly and a heavily used nectar and pollen source for bumble bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Bush lupine need?: Bush lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Bush lupine bloom?: Bush lupine blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Bush lupine native?: Bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Bush lupine host?: Bush lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue butterfly.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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