Fabaceae
Medicago sativa subsp. sativa
Medicago sativa subsp. sativa
Also known as Trigonella upendrae, Medicago contorta, Medicago sogdiana, Medicago jemenensis
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Alfalfa · Legume · Nitrogen Fixer · Forage Crop · Medicinal Herb · Pollinator · Cover Crop · Drought Tolerant · Edible Sprouts · Fabaceae
Alfalfa is an extremely adaptable perennial legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen and improves soil health wherever it grows. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and water deeply but infrequently once established to encourage its deep taproot system. It is highly drought tolerant once mature and requires minimal fertilization due to its nitrogen-fixing ability.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to encourage deep root growth, allow soil to dry between waterings · Every 7-10 days once established
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 18 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Alabama, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina South, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil South, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, California
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
More Medicago
Related plants from the same genus
Buy this plant
No nurseries currently list it
No nursery lists Medicago sativa subsp. sativa right now.