Lupinus albus
Sweet lupine
Common names: White lupine, Speiselupine
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Sweet lupine (Lupinus albus) is a tall legume that produces striking white to pale blue flower spikes. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil, which makes it popular as a green manure. The seeds are high in plant protein and can be processed into a mild snack after soaking. Choose low‑bitter varieties, as wild lupines and some cultivars contain alkaloids that are unpalatable when raw and unsoaked. Unsoaked seeds are therefore unsuitable for children and pets.
Care instructions
Sow the seeds from mid‑April once the soil warms, directly outdoors; a pre‑soak overnight speeds germination. Select a sunny spot with loose, slightly acidic to neutral soil, sweet lupines prefer less calcareous conditions. Water only during extended dry spells; the deep taproot usually accesses moisture on its own. Lightly mound young plants to provide wind support, and harvest the pods when they turn brown and dry. For green manure, cut the plants before seed maturity and incorporate the green material into the soil.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lime-loving, lean
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Varieties
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