Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
Last reviewed: June 2026
Sky Lupine (Lupinus nanus) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org, last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Sky lupine is a charming annual wildflower with delicate blue to purple pea-like blooms that appear in spring. It grows in a compact, bushy form and produces attractive palmate leaves. This low-water native adds a splash of color in spring gardens and works well in meadow plantings.
In an HOA neighborhood
Sky Lupine is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Annual life cycle means seasonal dieback
- Can look untidy after flowering
- May self-seed unpredictably
Wildlife value
Host plant for blue copper butterfly.
Sky lupine is highly attractive to native bees and butterflies, providing valuable nectar and pollen during its spring bloom period. It can be an important food source for certain butterfly larvae.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Sky Lupine fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.