goat's rue
Tephrosia virginiana
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
Pale yellow standard with rose-pink wings and keel Flowers
Sun:
Full sun
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Poisonous To Pets:
Yes
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Goat's rue (Tephrosia virginiana) grows best when it receives regular watering. Keep the soil lightly moist at all times, but make sure to never overwater as this can lead to root rot. Water the plant deeply once a week during its active growing season, from early spring to late summer. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to once every 2 to 3 weeks. Water only when the soil begins to feel dry, and never allow the soil to become soggy as this can cause root damage.
sunlight
Goat's rue (Tephrosia virginiana) needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to grow well. This plant species thrives in hot, humid areas, particularly in its native southeastern U.S. habitats, so it is best to give it as much direct sunlight as possible. It typically grows in open fields and savannahs where it benefits from abundant sunlight. The plant should be placed in an area where it can get adequate sunlight, preferably in the morning and late afternoon, when its UVA and UVB emissions are at their strongest. During the mid-day, the sun is usually too strong and can damage the plant.
pruning
Goat's rue (Tephrosia virginiana) should be pruned at the end of each winter season, removing all dead branches and twigs. Trim back all remaining stems to allow new growth in the following spring. If a more formal shape is desired, trimming can be done again in late spring after flowering has finished. It is important to note that this plant does not respond well to hard pruning and should not be severely cut back as it may not recover.
