Last edited on 1 Nov 2026. View history

Tarwi

Lupinus mutabilis
Also known as edible lupin (EN)

A variety of lupin bean

A large, flat, white-seeded edible lupin that is a staple food in South America, where it is called tarwi. Also makes excellent humus. Scatter sow in trays in spring once frost is past, and transplant at 20 cm when 5 cm high.

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Tarwi facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

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Ecological requirements

Data from the FAO EcoCrop database for Lupinus mutabilis Sweet

Family / Taxonomy Magnoliopsida
Rosidae
Fabales
Leguminosae
Optimal temperature 18 - 24 °C
Absolute temperature 6 - 30 °C
Killing temperature growth: -5 °C, rest: -5 °C
Optimal rainfall 500 - 1000 mm/year
Absolute rainfall 350 - 1700 mm/year
Optimal soil pH 5.0 - 6.5
Absolute soil pH 4.5 - 7.0
Crop cycle 150 - 330 days
Max altitude 4000 m
Life form herb
Life span annual
Habit erect
Optimal soil depth shallow (20-50 cm)
Optimal soil texture medium, light
Optimal soil fertility moderate
Optimal soil drainage well (dry spells)
Optimal soil salinity low (<4 dS/m)
Photoperiod short day (<12 hours), neutral day (12-14 hours), long day (>14 hours)
Optimal light very bright to clear skies

Licensed under CC-BY-4.0 .

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) ECOCROP, the crop ecological requirements database. Version 1. https://data.apps.fao.org/catalog/dataset/ecocrop. Accessed through the CGIAR Climate Action Data Hub, https://cgiar-climate-data-hub.github.io/catalog/ecocrop_1/.

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