Astragalus tener Plant Care

Astragalus tener A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Astragalus tener is a species of milkvetch known by the common name alkali milkvetch. It is endemic to California, where it grows in both coastal and inland areas such as the Central Valley, especially in moist places.

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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 tener?

Plant Astragalus tener 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 Astragalus tener Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Astragalus tener?

Astragalus tener (Astragalus tener) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Astragalus genus. Astragalus tener is native to California.

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

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Astragalus tener?

Water a young or newly planted Astragalus tener 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 tener Need?

Astragalus tener thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Astragalus tener Prefer?

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

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Astragalus tener?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Astragalus tener?

Feed Astragalus tener 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 tener?

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 tener 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 tener?

Astragalus tener 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 tener?

Prune Astragalus tener 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 tener in Winter?

Astragalus tener 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 tener?

Astragalus tener 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 tener Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Astragalus tener, 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 tener?

Astragalus tener 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 tener Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Astragalus tener 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 tener 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 tener A.Gray, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Astragalus tener, 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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