Creeping Tick Trefoil Plant Care
Desmodium ×humifusum (Muhl. ex Bigelow) L.C.Beck
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Desmodium × humifusum is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names trailing tick-trefoil, eastern trailing tick-trefoil, and spreading tick-trefoil. It is native to the eastern United States, where it has been reduced to scattered populations in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Indiana.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Water Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil Native To?
What Is the Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Creeping Tick Trefoil (Desmodium ×humifusum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Desmodium genus. Creeping Tick Trefoil is native to the eastern United States.
Creeping Tick Trefoil displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Creeping Tick Trefoil produces small, pea-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Desmodium ×humifusum 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil Need?
Creeping Tick Trefoil thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil Prefer?
Desmodium ×humifusum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Creeping Tick Trefoil prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Creeping Tick Trefoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Feed Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil?
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 Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Creeping Tick Trefoil, 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil?
Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 Creeping Tick Trefoil Need?
Creeping Tick Trefoil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Creeping Tick Trefoil is native to the eastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Creeping Tick Trefoil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Creeping Tick Trefoil 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.
Creeping Tick Trefoil 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 ×humifusum (Muhl. ex Bigelow) L.C.Beck, family Fabaceae (first published in Bot. North. Middle States : 86 (1833)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Creeping Tick Trefoil, 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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