Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 400. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Hedysarum glabellum Plant Care
Desmodium glabellum (Michx.) DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Desmodium glabellum (Dillenius' ticktrefoil or tall tick-trefoil) is a perennial herb and wildflower in the pea family native to eastern and central North America. It grows in fields, woodland borders, and disturbed areas.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hedysarum glabellum?
Water Hedysarum glabellum 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.
Where Is the Hedysarum glabellum Native To?
What Is the Hedysarum glabellum?
Hedysarum glabellum (Desmodium glabellum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Desmodium genus. Hedysarum glabellum is native to the eastern and central United States. Hedysarum glabellum is also known as Meibomia glabella.
Hedysarum glabellum displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hedysarum glabellum produces small, pea-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hedysarum glabellum?
Desmodium glabellum 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 Hedysarum glabellum Need?
Hedysarum glabellum thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Hedysarum glabellum 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 Hedysarum glabellum Prefer?
Desmodium glabellum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Hedysarum glabellum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hedysarum glabellum?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hedysarum glabellum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hedysarum glabellum?
Feed Hedysarum glabellum 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 Hedysarum glabellum?
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 Hedysarum glabellum?
Hedysarum glabellum 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 Hedysarum glabellum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hedysarum glabellum, 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 Hedysarum glabellum?
Hedysarum glabellum 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 Hedysarum glabellum Need?
Hedysarum glabellum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hedysarum glabellum is native to the eastern and central United States. In cooler regions, grow Hedysarum glabellum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hedysarum glabellum 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.
Hedysarum glabellum 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 glabellum (Michx.) DC., family Fabaceae (first published in Prodr. 2: 329 (1825)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hedysarum glabellum, 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: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 400. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc., 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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