Lotus maritimus

RHS Plant Profile
dragon's teeth

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Other common names

wild Tom Thumbs

Synonyms

Tetragonolobus maritimus

Herbaceous Perennial
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A low-growing perennial, with prostrate to ascending stems up to 30cm long. Leaves are slightly blue-green, and divided into five oval-shaped leaflets, with three held upright and two clasping the stem. Pale yellow, pea-like flowers are produced at the tips of the stems in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
Genus
Lotus can be annuals, perennials, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with simple or compound leaves and pea-like flowers that may be solitary or clustered
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a sunny spot in moist but well-drained soil, will tolerate part shade but flowering is best in full sun. Drought and salt tolerant. Ideal for a sunny wall or rock garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back stems to near the base after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf miners, thrips and several moth caterpillars, including lackey moth larvae

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews and rust diseases