Small's Milkpea Plant Care
Galactia smallii A.Herndon
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Galactia smallii is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Small's milkpea. It is endemic to Florida, where it is known only from a few small patches of remaining habitat in Miami-Dade County.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Small's Milkpea?
Water Small's Milkpea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Small's Milkpea Native To?
What Is the Small's Milkpea?
Small's Milkpea (Galactia smallii) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Galactia genus. Small's Milkpea is native to Florida.
Small's Milkpea displays a vining or trailing growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Small's Milkpea produces small pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small's Milkpea?
Galactia smallii 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 Small's Milkpea Need?
Small's Milkpea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small's Milkpea Prefer?
Galactia smallii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Small's Milkpea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small's Milkpea?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Small's Milkpea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small's Milkpea?
Feed Small's Milkpea 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 Small's Milkpea?
Repot annually 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 Small's Milkpea?
Small's Milkpea can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to elliott's milkpea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small's Milkpea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small's Milkpea, 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 Small's Milkpea?
Small's Milkpea 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 Small's Milkpea Need?
Small's Milkpea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Small's Milkpea is native to Florida. In cooler regions, grow Small's Milkpea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Small's Milkpea 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 Galactia genus — compare its care with other Galactia species on PlantoScan.
Galactia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Small's Milkpea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Galactia smallii A.Herndon, family Fabaceae (first published in Rhodora 83: 471 (1981)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small's Milkpea, 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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