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Grape Soda Lupine

Lupinus excubitus

Grape Soda Lupine

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Grape Soda Lupine - Lupinus excubitus
Also known as: Inyo Bush Lupine; Desert Bush Lupine
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A beautiful and fragrant native lupine, Grape Soda Lupine gets its name from the sweet scent of its flowers, which many people compare to grape candy or grape soda. This shrubby perennial is native to California and found in both the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert, along with adjacent dry mountain regions. Unlike the annual lupines many people are familiar with - such as Arizona Lupine, which appears as a spring wildflower - this species is a true perennial, forming a long-lasting shrubby mound rather than dying back after one season. It typically grows 2–3 feet tall and wide, with soft silvery-gray foliage made up of narrow finger-like leaflets that give the plant a velvety appearance. In spring, tall spikes of richly colored violet-purple flowers rise above the foliage, each bloom accented by a bright yellow patch. Beyond its striking appearance, the flowers are wonderfully fragrant and add another sensory element to the garden.

Grape Soda Lupine thrives in full sun and very well-drained soils, especially sandy, rocky, or decomposed granite conditions. Like most lupines, it dislikes heavy soils and excess summer irrigation, and once established, requires little supplemental water. Though not always long-lived, it may reseed when happy and can naturalize in favorable conditions. Its soft foliage, vivid spring flowers, and sweet fragrance make it a standout in desert and native plant gardens alike.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Lupinus species are known host plants for several native butterfly and moth species, though species-specific use of Lupinus excubitus is not well documented.
Nectar Source: Native bees; butterflies; other pollinators
Bird Resources: Seeds; Insect Foraging Habitat; Shelter
Bird Species: Frequently included in bird-friendly habitat plantings and noted to attract songbirds, though species-specific associations are not well documented.

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Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.