Hosackia crassifolia Plant Care

Hosackia crassifolia Benth.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hosackia crassifolia, synonym Lotus crassifolius, is a species of legume found in the western United States. It is known by the common names big deervetch and broad-leafed lotus.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Hosackia crassifolia?

Plant Hosackia crassifolia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Hosackia crassifolia Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Hosackia crassifolia?

Hosackia crassifolia (Hosackia crassifolia) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Hosackia genus. Hosackia crassifolia is native to the western United States.

Hosackia crassifolia displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Hosackia crassifolia produces small yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hosackia crassifolia?

Water a young or newly planted Hosackia crassifolia every 7–14 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Hosackia crassifolia Need?

Hosackia crassifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hosackia crassifolia Prefer?

Hosackia crassifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Hosackia crassifolia prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hosackia crassifolia?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hosackia crassifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hosackia crassifolia?

Feed Hosackia crassifolia 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Hosackia crassifolia?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hosackia crassifolia is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Hosackia crassifolia?

Hosackia crassifolia can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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.

How Do You Prune a Hosackia crassifolia?

Prune Hosackia crassifolia 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.

How Do You Care for a Hosackia crassifolia in Winter?

Hosackia crassifolia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Hosackia crassifolia?

Hosackia crassifolia can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lotus formosissimus plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hosackia crassifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hosackia crassifolia, 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 Hosackia crassifolia?

Hosackia crassifolia is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. 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 Hosackia crassifolia Need?

Hosackia crassifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hosackia crassifolia is native to the western United States. In cooler regions, grow Hosackia crassifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Hosackia crassifolia 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 Hosackia genus — compare its care with other Hosackia species on PlantoScan.

Hosackia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Hosackia crassifolia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Hosackia Species

Other Hosackia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hosackia crassifolia Benth., family Fabaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17(3): 365. 1836 [21 Jun-9 Jul 1836]) — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hosackia crassifolia, 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 12a, 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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