PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in dry, sunny exposures and tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates
Watering
Water deeply when the top 2 cm of soil is completely dry; highly drought-tolerant once established
Temperature
Thrives in warm temperate to hot climates; tolerates light frost down to 5°C but may die back in prolonged cold
Characteristics
- Leaf: Trifoliate with narrow oblong leaflets, ciliate (fringed) margins; bright medium green
- Flower: Tiny pea-like golden yellow blooms in dense axillary clusters
- Stem: Hairy prostrate to ascending stems that root at lower nodes
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil slightly moist during active growth; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Fertilization
Diluted balanced liquid feed once every 4 weeks. As a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen, reducing fertilizer needs
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface to boost calcium levels and support healthy root developmentPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering period
- Mow lightly to maintain a compact mat form when used as a lawn substitute
- Remove senescent foliage in late autumn to reduce fungal overwintering sites
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no reported toxicity
Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no known adverse effects from ingestion or contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ground cover, livestock forage, soil nitrogen fixation for companion planting
