Legumes & Pulses· Lupinus albus

Lupin Growing Guide

A high-protein grain legume gaining prominence as a plant-based protein source. White lupin is the most widely cultivated species, important for animal feed and increasingly for human food products.

How Long Does Lupin Take to Grow?

Lupin is typically ready to harvest about 150 days after planting.

150

Days to Harvest

1,635

kg/hectare

low

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

12-24°C optimal

Rainfall

400-800 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

moderate

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Humidity

low tolerance

Heat Tolerance

low

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: sandy loam, sandy, loam

pH range: 5.5 - 6.4 (optimal: 6)

Drainage: good

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)low

Phosphorus (P)moderate

Potassium (K)low

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding

Planting Depth

4 cm

Plant Spacing

15 cm apart, 30 cm rows

Planting Season

autumn, early_spring

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

390 - 6,000 kg/ha

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

lupin aphid
weevils
thrips

Common Diseases

anthracnose
brown spot
pleiochaeta root rot

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Select sweet (low-alkaloid) varieties for food-grade production; bitter types are for green manure only.

Lupins thrive on acidic, sandy soils where other legumes struggle -- ideal for marginal land.

Inoculate with Bradyrhizobium lupini for effective nodulation, especially on fields new to lupin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Lupin take to grow?

Lupin typically takes 150 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 10 days. The best planting season is autumn, early_spring.

What soil does Lupin need?

Lupin grows best in sandy loam, sandy, loam soil with a pH of 5.5-6.4. Good drainage is required.

What temperature does Lupin need?

Lupin grows best at 12-24°C. Frost tolerance: moderate. Heat tolerance: low.

What is the expected yield for Lupin?

Across 28 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Lupin range from 390 to 6,000 kg/hectare, with a median of 1,635. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.