Black Medic Plant Care
Medicago arabica (L.) Huds.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Medicago arabica, the spotted medick, spotted burclover, heart clover, is a flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean basin but is found throughout the world, usually on clifftop grasslands and grassy places.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Black Medic?
Water Black Medic every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Black Medic Native To?
What Is the Black Medic?
Black Medic (Medicago arabica) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Medicago genus. Black Medic is native to the Mediterranean basin. Black Medic is also known as Suck-a-bud, Spotted Burclover, Egyptian Clover.
Black Medic displays an upright, spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Black Medic produces small clusters of yellow flowers in elongated spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Black Medic?
Medicago arabica requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Black Medic Need?
Black Medic thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Black Medic Prefer?
Medicago arabica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Black Medic prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Black Medic?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Black Medic to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Black Medic?
Feed Black Medic every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Black Medic?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Black Medic?
Black Medic can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alfalfa plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Black Medic Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Black Medic, 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 Black Medic?
Black Medic 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 Black Medic Need?
Black Medic grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Black Medic is native to the Mediterranean basin. In cooler regions, grow Black Medic as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Black Medic 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 Medicago genus — compare its care with other Medicago species on PlantoScan.
Medicago is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Black Medic thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Medicago Species
Other Medicago species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Medicago arabica (L.) Huds., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Angl. : 288 (1762)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Black Medic, 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 13a, 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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