Species Prickly Milk Vetch
purple-white flowers with grey-green leaves

Prickly Milk Vetch

Astragalus kentrophyta

Also Known As - Spiny Milk Vetch
Prickly Milk Vetch (Astragalus kentrophyta) is a perennial plant native to North America. It grows to be up to 1 meter in height and is adapted to many climates. It has a sparse, herbaceous stem covered in stiff, prickly hairs and racemes of small yellow and purple flowers. The leaves are finely divided and the seedpods are hairy and contain small seeds. In recent years, it has become popular in home eco-landscapes due to its drought tolerance and resistance to certain pests. Prickly Milk Vetch is a stunning plant and can add a unique texture to any garden.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Licorice Milkvetch prefers moderate to low amounts of water. During the spring and summer, water the plant when the top inch of soil has dried out. During the winter months, the plant needs very little water, as it is going dormant. Check the soil for dryness every 1 to 2 weeks and if dry, provide a deep, thorough watering. Allow the soil to drain completely before watering again. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so in general, err on the side of less rather than more.

sunlight

Licorice Milkvetch (Astragalus glycyphyllos) is an herbaceous perennial plant, which means it prefers regular sunlight. This species grows best in sunny, open spots with soil that is well-drained and does not stay too wet. It does best in full sun or with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. LICorice Milkvetch should be planted in the spring, after the last frost has occurred, in soil temperatures of ideally 14-18 °C.

pruning

Licorice Milkvetch should be pruned during the late spring or early summer. Pruning should be limited to removing any dead or damaged stems and any suckers that have grown near the base of the plant. It is recommended that you prune the Licorice Milkvetch lightly so that it keeps its height and shape. Pruning should be done sparingly, as excessive pruning can harm the plant and lead to fewer blooms.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.