Also known as Bird's-Foot Deer-Vetch · Bird's-Foot-Trefoil · Birdfoot Deervetch
Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a low-growing, perennial legume with yellow, pea-like flowers. It's valuable for forage and nitrogen fixation.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering.
Moderate when established, dry tolerant
25% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Hardy
50% intensity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Prefers moderate temperatures during the growing season.
Low/None
25% intensity
As a legume, it fixes its own nitrogen. Fertilize sparingly, if at all, with a low-nitrogen option.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water Bird's-foot Trefoil moderately during its first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and prefers drier conditions.
Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Pruning is generally not required for Bird's-foot Trefoil, especially when grown as a groundcover or in naturalized areas.
If it becomes leggy or overgrown, light pruning can be done in early spring to encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead or damaged stems at any time.
Bird's-foot Trefoil can be propagated by seeds sown in early spring or late autumn. Seeds may benefit from scarification or a period of cold stratification to improve germination rates.
It can also be propagated by division of established clumps in spring or autumn.
Repotting is typically not necessary for Bird's-foot Trefoil, as it is often grown in the ground or in large, established containers where it can spread. If grown in a container and it becomes root-bound, repot in spring to a slightly larger container with well-draining soil.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Bird's-Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Where Bird's-Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Lotus |
| Species | Lotus corniculatus |
Similar in genus Lotus
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
