How much sun does Coulter's Lupine need?

Coulter's Lupine grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Coulter's Lupine bloom?

Coulter's Lupine blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is Coulter's Lupine native?

Coulter's Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Coulter's Lupine toxic to dogs?

Yes. Coulter's Lupine is listed as toxic to dogs by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN) (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Coulter's Lupine toxic to cats?

Yes. Coulter's Lupine is listed as toxic to cats by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN) (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

What pollinators does Coulter's Lupine attract?

Coulter's Lupine draws bees and butterflies.

Is Coulter's Lupine HOA-friendly?

Coulter's Lupine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Coulter's Lupine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lupinus sparsiflorus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Coulter's Lupine is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN) (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-20). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–24" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, NV, UT

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Coulter's lupine is a compact annual wildflower that produces spikes of blue to purple pea-like flowers from March through June. This wildflower grows 6-24 inches tall with palmate leaves and thrives in full sun with minimal water once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Coulter's Lupine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual lifecycle creates gaps in plantings
Can appear weedy or unkempt between seasons
Wildflower appearance may seem too informal for front yards

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the spring blooming period. As a member of the legume family, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil.

Common questions

How much sun does Coulter's Lupine need?: Coulter's Lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Coulter's Lupine bloom?: Coulter's Lupine blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Coulter's Lupine native?: Coulter's Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Coulter's Lupine toxic to dogs?: Yes. Coulter's Lupine is listed as toxic to dogs by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN) (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Coulter's Lupine toxic to cats?: Yes. Coulter's Lupine is listed as toxic to cats by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN) (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Coulter's Lupine attract?: Coulter's Lupine draws bees and butterflies.
Is Coulter's Lupine HOA-friendly?: Coulter's Lupine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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

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