PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial sun; thrives in open meadow conditions and tolerates light shade in hot climates
Watering
Water deeply when top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; tolerate moderate drought once established
Temperature
Hardy to cold temperatures; withstands frost and mild winter conditions in temperate regions
Characteristics
- Leaf: Pinnately compound leaves with 15–25 small oval leaflets, gray-green and softly hairy
- Flower: Pendulous clusters of pale purple to pink pea-like blooms, 1–2 cm long
- Stem: Slender, erect stems with fine pubescence
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during active growth; avoid waterlogging
Fertilization
Light, balanced feed once monthly. Legume plants fix atmospheric nitrogen, so avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush clean, dried eggshells into fine powder and sprinkle a thin layer around the base to boost soil calcium levels; avoid direct contact with stems to prevent irritationPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage occasional late-season reblooming
- Trim back faded foliage in late autumn to tidy growth and reduce overwintering pest habitat
- Remove damaged or diseased stems in early spring before new growth emerges
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No listed toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxicity to humans; edible young foliage in some regional cuisines
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Pollinator-friendly for bees and butterflies; fixes soil nitrogen via root nodules
