Why are my lupines snapping?

Lupines are beautiful plants with a unique and striking flower shape. Lupines (Lupinus) have a large, cone-shaped or torch-shaped flower cluster consisting of many smaller flowers. Lupines come in a variety of colors, such as white, pink, red, blue, purple, and yellow. They remain a popular garden plant.

Unfortunately, it does happen quite often that the lupine’s flower stem snaps. If this happens to several flower stems, the plant sometimes appears to collapse.

Why do lupine flowers snap?

There are several possible causes for the lupine’s flower stem to snap. Lupines have hollow flower stalks. This means they aren’t naturally very strong. However, they can often continue to bloom even after the stalk snaps. Below are some common causes of lupine flower stalks snapping.

No plant support

Because lupines have hollow flower stems and produce large, fairly heavy flower clusters, it is advisable to stake these plants early on. The best time to stake the plants is before they actually need it. That way, the plants can, so to speak, grow into the support. This results in a less contrived appearance than a plant that is straightened with a stake once it is already in full bloom.

Wind

It’s best not to plant lupines where they’ll be exposed to the wind. Because the large flowers grow on fairly thin (and hollow) stems, they’re sensitive to strong winds. It helps to plant lupines among other plants in the border so they can find support from those plants as well. A plant stake is also highly recommended.

Grown in a greenhouse

Many lupines are grown in greenhouses. As a result, they bloom earlier and look absolutely stunning at the garden center. However, because of the rapid growth that occurs in the greenhouse, the flower stems are often still somewhat weaker, making them even more prone to snapping or bending.

Too little or too much water

Overwatering can lead to faster but weaker growth. The longer the stems grow, the greater the risk of them snapping or breaking. Underwatering also causes problems, though this is usually immediately accompanied by yellow leaves or leaves that droop completely or dry out. Not sure how much water to give? Check out our blog post on watering.

Snails

Unfortunately, snails seem to be quite fond of lupines. Snails will further weaken the plant or may even cause the stems to snap due to feeding damage. In a garden with many other plants, snail damage to lupines is usually less severe. See also our tips for controlling snails.