Purple Prairie Clover Plant Care

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalea genus. Purple Prairie Clover is native to central North America, purple prairie clover is a relatively common member of the Great Plains and prairie ecosystems. Purple Prairie Clover is also known as Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea f. albiflora, Dalea purpurea f. arenaria.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple 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.

Purple Prairie Clover thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Purple 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.

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

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.

Purple 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.

Purple 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.

Prune Purple 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.

Purple 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.

Purple 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.

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

Purple 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.

Purple Prairie Clover grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Purple Prairie Clover is native to central North America, purple prairie clover is a relatively common member of the Great Plains and prairie ecosystems. In cooler regions, grow Purple Prairie Clover as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.