Desmodium acanthocladum Plant Care
Desmodium acanthocladum F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pedleya acanthoclada, commonly known as thorny pea, is the only species of flowering plant in the genus Pedleya of the family Fabaceae. It is a small shrub with pink or purplish flowers, and leaves in groups of three.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Desmodium acanthocladum?
Water Desmodium acanthocladum every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Desmodium acanthocladum?
Desmodium acanthocladum (Desmodium acanthocladum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Desmodium genus.
Desmodium acanthocladum displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desmodium acanthocladum produces small, pea-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Desmodium acanthocladum?
Desmodium acanthocladum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Desmodium acanthocladum Need?
Desmodium acanthocladum thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Desmodium acanthocladum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Desmodium acanthocladum Prefer?
Desmodium acanthocladum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Desmodium acanthocladum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Desmodium acanthocladum?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Desmodium acanthocladum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Desmodium acanthocladum?
Feed Desmodium acanthocladum every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Desmodium acanthocladum?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Desmodium acanthocladum?
Desmodium acanthocladum can be propagated through seeds, division of roots, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to showy tick-trefoil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Desmodium acanthocladum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Desmodium acanthocladum, 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 Desmodium acanthocladum?
Desmodium acanthocladum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Desmodium acanthocladum Need?
Desmodium acanthocladum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Desmodium acanthocladum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Desmodium acanthocladum 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 Desmodium genus — compare its care with other Desmodium species on PlantoScan.
Desmodium is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Desmodium acanthocladum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Desmodium Species
Other Desmodium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Desmodium acanthocladum F.Muell., family Fabaceae (first published in Fragm. 2: 122 (1861)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Desmodium acanthocladum, 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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