Silvery lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Last reviewed: November 2026
Silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is a perennial forb native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Silvery lupine, free in the app.
Silvery 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) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
The Pollinator Patch App flags toxic plants so you can choose a native alternative that is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Silvery lupine is listed as toxic to dogs by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN). These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–30" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states
Pollinators
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 461 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
An upright perennial legume with silvery, palmate leaves and tall spikes of blue-purple pea flowers in summer. It grows in mountain meadows and can flop somewhat by season's end.
Growing Silvery lupine
Grow Silvery lupine in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for silvery blue, boisduval's blue.
Lupines are a key larval host genus for the silvery blue and boisduval's blue butterflies, and the flowers are heavily used by bumble bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Silvery lupine need?
- Silvery lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Silvery lupine bloom?
- Silvery lupine blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Silvery lupine native?
- Silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Silvery lupine toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Silvery lupine is listed as toxic to dogs by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Silvery lupine toxic to cats?
- Yes. Silvery lupine is listed as toxic to cats by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What butterflies or moths does Silvery lupine host?
- Silvery lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue and boisduval's blue.
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
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Silvery lupine and shows natives not flagged toxic to pets for your ecoregion instead.