Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Plant Care
Astragalus sinuatus Piper
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Astragalus sinuatus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Whited's milkvetch. It is endemic to Washington in the United States, where it is limited to one creek drainage on the western edge of the Columbia Basin.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Plant Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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.
Where Is the Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Native To?
What Is the Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinuatus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Astragalus genus. Wavyleaf Milk Vetch is native to Washington in the United States.
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Wavyleaf Milk Vetch produces small pea-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Water a young or newly planted Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Need?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Prefer?
Astragalus sinuatus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Wavyleaf Milk Vetch prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Wavyleaf Milk Vetch to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Feed Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
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.
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Prune Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch in Winter?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wavyleaf Milk Vetch, 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 Wavyleaf Milk Vetch Need?
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wavyleaf Milk Vetch is native to Washington in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Wavyleaf Milk Vetch as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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.
Wavyleaf Milk Vetch 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 sinuatus Piper, family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 40 (1901)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wavyleaf Milk Vetch, 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.
