Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil Plant Care

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil (Hosackia pinnata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Hosackia genus. Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil is native to western North America from British Columbia to California. Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil is also known as Flundula comosa, Hosackia bicolor, Lotus bicolor.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil produces small yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Hosackia pinnata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

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

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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Prune Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lotus formosissimus plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil 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.

Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil is native to western North America from British Columbia to California. In cooler regions, grow Pinnate Bird's-foot Trefoil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.