Stipulate Deervetch (Hosackia stipularis)

Photo: Conveyor BeltCC0via Wikimedia Commons

Stipulate Deervetch Plant Care

Hosackia stipularis Benth.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hosackia stipularis, synonym Lotus stipularis, is a species of legume endemic to California. It is known by the common name balsam bird's-foot trefoil. It is found in most of the northern and central coastal and inland mountain ranges and foothills. It can be found in many types of habitat, including forest, chaparral, and disturbed areas. This is a mostly erect perennial herb with a leafy, often hairy and glandular form. Its slender branches are lined with leaves each made of several leaflets up to 2 centimeters long. The leaves sometimes have prominent stipules. The inflorescence is a compact array of up to 9 pink flowers. Each flower is elongated, the corolla borne in a tubular calyx of sepals, and the entire unit may exceed a centimeter long. The fruit is a legume pod 2 or 3 centimeters long containing several beanlike seeds.

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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 Stipulate Deervetch?

Plant Stipulate Deervetch 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.

What Is the Stipulate Deervetch?

Stipulate Deervetch (Hosackia stipularis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Hosackia genus. Stipulate Deervetch is native to most of the northern and central coastal and inland mountain ranges and foothills. Stipulate Deervetch is also known as Stipulate Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus stipularis.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Stipulate Deervetch?

Water a young or newly planted Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch Need?

Stipulate Deervetch thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stipulate Deervetch Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stipulate Deervetch?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Stipulate Deervetch?

Feed Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch?

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.

Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch?

Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch?

Prune Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch in Winter?

Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch?

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

Is the Stipulate Deervetch Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Stipulate Deervetch, 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 Stipulate Deervetch?

Stipulate Deervetch 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 Stipulate Deervetch Need?

Stipulate Deervetch grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Stipulate Deervetch is native to most of the northern and central coastal and inland mountain ranges and foothills. In cooler regions, grow Stipulate Deervetch as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Stipulate Deervetch 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.

Stipulate Deervetch 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 stipularis Benth., family Fabaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 365 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stipulate Deervetch, 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: Conveyor Belt, CC0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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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