Lupin — White

Lupinus albus

Mediterranean annual lupin grown for centuries as a pulse crop. Seeds are debittered by soaking before being eaten — the basis of Spanish, Italian, and Egyptian street snacks.

Hardiness ratings

Lupin — White hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–9 −40 °C to −1.1 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–9 −34 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Lupin — White doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Raw seeds are bitter and contain toxic alkaloids — must be soaked in changes of water for several days before eating, or use modern sweet cultivars
  • Tolerates alkaline soils better than blue lupin
  • Deep taproot — useful soil structurer

Pet caution: Lupin — White is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Lupin — White against your zones

Reference

Lupin — White on Wikipedia