Nootka Lupine
Lupinus nootkatensis
Last reviewed: August 2026
Nootka Lupine is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
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Nootka lupine is a showy native perennial that produces tall spikes of blue, purple, or white pea-like flowers from May through July. This native forms attractive clumps with distinctive palmate leaves and can reach up to 4 feet tall in optimal conditions.
In an HOA neighborhood
Nootka Lupine is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Can look messy after blooming when seed pods develop
- May spread by self-seeding which some view as weedy
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the seeds provide food for birds. As a legume, it also fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting surrounding plants.
Common questions
- How much sun does Nootka Lupine need?
- Nootka Lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Nootka Lupine bloom?
- Nootka Lupine blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Nootka Lupine native?
- Nootka Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) is native to WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Nootka Lupine toxic to livestock?
- Nootka Lupine is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- What pollinators does Nootka Lupine attract?
- Nootka Lupine draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Nootka Lupine HOA-friendly?
- Nootka Lupine is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
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.
Ready to grow Nootka Lupine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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