trefle.io · Taken Apr 16, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Cow vetch
Vicia cracca
Also known as Blue vetch, Bird vetch, Tufted vetch, Vicia cracca var. nana
Zones 4–10Sun Partial SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Vetch · Legume · Nitrogen-Fixing · Wildflower · Meadow · Perennial · Purple-Flowers · Climbing
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyMedicinalAttracts pollinators
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
This hardy perennial legume thrives in partial shade with minimal care once established. It's nitrogen-fixing and drought-tolerant, making it excellent for naturalizing in meadow gardens. Allow soil to dry between waterings and provide moderate sunlight.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 4.9–7
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4a-10b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 2 ft – 5 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Altay, Amur, Argentina South, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Cape Provinces, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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