How much sun does Washington lupin need?

Washington lupin grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Washington lupin bloom?

Washington lupin blooms in June and July.

Where is Washington lupin native?

Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is native to CA, CT, ID, IL and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Washington lupin host?

Washington lupin is a larval host plant for Karner blue butterfly.

Washington lupin

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lupinus polyphyllus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is a perennial forb native to CA, CT, ID, IL and 11 more states. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bumble bees and honey bees.

Toxicity unknown

Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) 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

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CT, ID, IL and 11 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, honey bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 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 Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Lakes and Forests

A tall, upright perennial with distinctive palmate leaves and dense spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of purple and blue. Forms a substantial clump that can look somewhat leggy after bloom.

Growing Washington lupin

Grow Washington lupin in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for Karner blue butterfly.

An important larval host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly and a strong nectar source for bumble bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Washington lupin need?: Washington lupin grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Washington lupin bloom?: Washington lupin blooms in June and July.
Where is Washington lupin native?: Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is native to CA, CT, ID, IL and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Washington lupin host?: Washington lupin is a larval host plant for Karner blue butterfly.

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.

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