Image: AI generated
Alfalfa Plant Care
Medicago sativa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Alfalfa, lucerne, Medicago sativa is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world and is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Alfalfa?
Water Alfalfa 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.
What Is the Alfalfa?
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Medicago genus. Alfalfa is native to warmer temperate climates. Alfalfa is also known as Lucerne.
Alfalfa displays an upright, spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alfalfa produces small clusters of yellow flowers in elongated spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Alfalfa?
Medicago sativa 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 Alfalfa Need?
Alfalfa thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alfalfa Prefer?
Medicago sativa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Alfalfa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alfalfa?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Alfalfa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Alfalfa?
Feed Alfalfa 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 Alfalfa?
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 Alfalfa?
Alfalfa can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball.
Is the Alfalfa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alfalfa, 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 Alfalfa?
Alfalfa 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 Alfalfa Need?
Alfalfa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10a. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Alfalfa is native to warmer temperate climates.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 10a
Keep exploring plants
Alfalfa 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.
Alfalfa 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: Medicago sativa L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 778 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alfalfa, 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 10a, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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