Astragalus falcatus Plant Care

Astragalus falcatus Lam.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Astragalus falcatus is a species of milkvetch known by the common names Russian milkvetch, sickle milkvetch, sicklepod milkvetch, and silverleaf milkvetch. It is a flowering plant found primarily in meadows and grasslands and sometimes in open woodlands.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Astragalus falcatus?

Plant Astragalus falcatus in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

What Is the Astragalus falcatus?

Astragalus falcatus (Astragalus falcatus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Astragalus genus.

Astragalus falcatus displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Astragalus falcatus produces small pea-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Astragalus falcatus?

Water a young or newly planted Astragalus falcatus every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Astragalus falcatus Need?

Astragalus falcatus thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Astragalus falcatus Prefer?

Astragalus falcatus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Astragalus falcatus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Astragalus falcatus?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Astragalus falcatus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Astragalus falcatus?

Feed Astragalus falcatus every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Astragalus falcatus?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Astragalus falcatus is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Astragalus falcatus?

Astragalus falcatus can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Astragalus falcatus?

Prune Astragalus falcatus while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Astragalus falcatus in Winter?

Astragalus falcatus is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Astragalus falcatus?

Astragalus falcatus can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to aragallus acutirostris plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Astragalus falcatus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Astragalus falcatus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Astragalus falcatus?

Astragalus falcatus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Astragalus falcatus Need?

Astragalus falcatus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Astragalus falcatus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Astragalus falcatus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Astragalus genus — compare its care with other Astragalus species on PlantoScan.

Astragalus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Astragalus falcatus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Astragalus Species

Other Astragalus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Astragalus falcatus Lam., family Fabaceae (first published in Encycl. 1: 310 (1783)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Astragalus falcatus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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