PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in open, sunny locations; tolerates light shade in hot climates
Watering
Water deeply only when top 5 cm of soil is fully dry; highly drought-tolerant once established
Temperature
Thrives in 15–28℃; tolerates light frost down to 5℃; avoid prolonged temperatures above 35℃
Characteristics
- Leaf: Trifoliate leaves with obovate, finely serrated leaflets; pale green foliage
- Flower: Small pea-like yellow flowers in dense axillary clusters
- Fruit: Round, spiny coiled pods that resemble tiny buttons
Care Guide
Watering
Water every 7–10 days during active growth; reduce frequency once established
Fertilization
Apply diluted balanced feed once monthly. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth over flowering
Composted coffee grounds tea：Use fully composted coffee grounds; dilute 1:25 with water for root drench to avoid nutrient burn; discard solid residues to prevent pest issuesPruning
- Deadhead spent flower clusters to extend blooming period
- Trim back dead foliage after fruiting to tidy garden beds
- Thin overcrowded plants to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no known adverse effects
Humans: Non-toxic; young foliage and seeds are edible in small quantities
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Forage for grazing livestock; soil nitrogen fixation to improve garden soil health
