Golden Prairie Clover (Dalea aurea)

Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock )Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons

Golden Prairie Clover Plant Care

Dalea aurea Nutt. ex Pursh

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dalea aurea, commonly called golden prairie clover, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family (Fabaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in the Great Plains and southwestern United States, and in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Its natural habitat is in silty or gravelly prairies, often over limestone.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Golden Prairie Clover?

Plant Golden Prairie Clover 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 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Golden Prairie Clover Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Golden Prairie Clover?

Golden Prairie Clover (Dalea aurea) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalea genus. Golden Prairie Clover is native to North America. Golden Prairie Clover is also known as Golden Dalea, Cylipogon capitatum, Parosela aurea.

Golden Prairie Clover displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Golden Prairie Clover produces small clustered flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Golden Prairie Clover?

Water a young or newly planted Golden Prairie Clover 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 Golden Prairie Clover Need?

Golden Prairie Clover thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden Prairie Clover Prefer?

Dalea aurea tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Golden Prairie Clover prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Prairie Clover?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Golden Prairie Clover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Prairie Clover?

Feed Golden Prairie Clover every 6 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 6 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 Golden Prairie Clover?

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

Golden Prairie Clover 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 Golden Prairie Clover?

Golden Prairie Clover can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 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 Golden Prairie Clover?

Prune Golden Prairie Clover 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 Golden Prairie Clover in Winter?

Golden Prairie Clover 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 Golden Prairie Clover?

Golden Prairie Clover can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Golden Prairie Clover Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Golden Prairie Clover, 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 Golden Prairie Clover?

Golden Prairie Clover is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. 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 Golden Prairie Clover Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Golden Prairie Clover 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 Dalea genus — compare its care with other Dalea species on PlantoScan.

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

Golden Prairie Clover thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Dalea Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dalea aurea Nutt. ex Pursh, family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Amer. Sept. 2: 740 (1814)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden Prairie Clover, 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.
  • Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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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