Lupin (Lupinus amandus)
Care, watering, light and tips for Lupin on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 5 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Lupin
Lupinus amandus, commonly known as Chocho, is a beautiful annual or short-lived perennial legume native to South America. It is characterized by its dense, upright flower spikes, which display a vibrant range of colors including blues, purples, pinks, and whites. It is ideal for flower beds, borders, or as part of a cottage-style garden, adding a wild and colorful touch.
Native range
Andes of South America
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure for abundant flowering, although it tolerates some partial shade in very hot climates. It requires regular watering, especially during flowering, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged. The ideal soil is well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral, and enriched with organic matter. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, as, being a legume, it fixes its own nitrogen, and an excess could reduce flowering.
How to save a dying Lupin
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown, wilting, drooping leaves. Weak or soft stems.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture. If dry, water deeply. If waterlogged, aerate roots. Move to partial shade if strong sun.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and heavy soils that rot roots. Also, lack of water during drought.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Lupines are sensitive but can recover if the issue is corrected promptly.