Sericea Lespedeza Plant Care
Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kummerowia stipulacea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is known by the common name Korean clover.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Sericea Lespedeza?
Plant Sericea Lespedeza in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Sericea Lespedeza Native To?
What Is the Sericea Lespedeza?
Sericea Lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Kummerowia genus. Sericea Lespedeza is native to China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Russia, and. Sericea Lespedeza is also known as Chinese Clover, Korean Clover.
Sericea Lespedeza displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Sericea Lespedeza produces small pink to purple pea-like flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Sericea Lespedeza Need?
Sericea Lespedeza thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sericea Lespedeza?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sericea Lespedeza to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Sericea Lespedeza?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Sericea Lespedeza?
Prune Sericea Lespedeza 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 tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Sericea Lespedeza in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Sericea Lespedeza?
Sericea Lespedeza can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese clover plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sericea Lespedeza Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sericea Lespedeza, 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 Sericea Lespedeza?
Sericea Lespedeza 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.
Keep exploring plants
Sericea Lespedeza 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 Kummerowia genus — compare its care with other Kummerowia species on PlantoScan.
Kummerowia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Sericea Lespedeza 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: Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino, family Fabaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 28: 107 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sericea Lespedeza, 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.
- 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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