Tick Trefoil Plant Care
Meibomia balaensis Schindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Desmodium intortum, known as greenleaf desmodium and also as beggarlice along with other members of its genus, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Desmodium, native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, the Galápagos, Haiti and Jamaica. A nitrogen-fixing fodder crop, it has been introduced to the rest of the world's tropics, including Africa, India, Australia, New Guinea and Taiwan
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Tick Trefoil?
Plant Tick Trefoil in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Tick Trefoil Native To?
What Is the Tick Trefoil?
Tick Trefoil (Meibomia balaensis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Meibomia genus. Tick Trefoil is native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, the Galápagos, Haiti and Jamaica.
Tick Trefoil displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Tick Trefoil produces small, clustered flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
What Light Does the Tick Trefoil Need?
Tick Trefoil thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tick Trefoil?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tick Trefoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Tick Trefoil?
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 Tick Trefoil?
Prune Tick Trefoil 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 Tick Trefoil 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 Tick Trefoil?
Tick Trefoil can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Tick Trefoil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tick Trefoil, 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 Tick Trefoil?
Tick Trefoil is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies. 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
Tick Trefoil 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 Meibomia genus (family Fabaceae) — search all Meibomia species in the plant lookup.
Tick Trefoil 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: Meibomia balaensis Schindl., family Fabaceae (first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 20: 144 (1924)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tick Trefoil, 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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