Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous PerennialAnnual Biennial

Medicago sativa

lucerne

Also known as 'alfalfa'or 'purple medic' this herbaceous perennial legume with a deep tap-root and clover-like green foliage produces small purple flowers in the summer followed by flat pea-like fruits. Used in many countries as animal food or as a green crop as it improves nutrient levels in the soil and also soil quality by reducing compaction, also reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers

Other common names
alfafa
alfalfa
see moreAmerican buffalo grass
Burgundy trefoil
common medick
holy hay
lucerne
purple medick
sainfoin
saintfoin
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Medicago are annuals, perennials or small shrubs. Leaves have three leaflets and may be light, yellow-, mid- or blue-green. Their short sprays of pea-like flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in most situations including poor, dry soil

Propagation

Propagate from seed sown in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to alfalfa weevil, leafhoppers and spotted aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial wilt

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.