False Lentil Plant Care

False Lentil (Lens ervoides) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lens genus. False Lentil is native to the Mediterranean region, the Caucasus, Ethiopia, and central tropical Africa, and it has been introduced to Crimea. False Lentil is also known as Wild Lentil.

False Lentil displays a low-growing legume growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . False Lentil produces small white or purple pea-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted False Lentil every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

False Lentil thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lens ervoides tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F. False Lentil prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for False Lentil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed False Lentil every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

False Lentil is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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.

Prune False Lentil 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.

False Lentil is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

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.

False Lentil can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to oriental lentil plant care, which shares the same genus.

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False Lentil is susceptible to aphids, bean weevils, leafhoppers. 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.

False Lentil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. False Lentil is native to the Mediterranean region, the Caucasus, Ethiopia, and central tropical Africa, and it has been introduced to Crimea.