Spiny Restharrow Plant Care
Ononis spinosa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ononis spinosa is a flowering plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, that is commonly known as spiny restharrow or just restharrow. It is found throughout much of Europe including Britain, but rarely as far north as Scotland.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spiny Restharrow?
Water Spiny Restharrow every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Spiny Restharrow?
Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Ononis genus. Spiny Restharrow is also known as Common Restharrow, Prickly Restharrow, Hairy Restharrow.
Spiny Restharrow displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Spiny Restharrow produces small pea-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spiny Restharrow?
Ononis spinosa requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Spiny Restharrow Need?
Spiny Restharrow thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spiny Restharrow Prefer?
Ononis spinosa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Spiny Restharrow prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spiny Restharrow?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Spiny Restharrow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spiny Restharrow?
Feed Spiny Restharrow every 6 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 6 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 Spiny Restharrow?
Repot every 2-3 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 Spiny Restharrow?
Spiny Restharrow can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fox restharrow plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spiny Restharrow Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spiny Restharrow, 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 Spiny Restharrow?
Spiny Restharrow 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 Spiny Restharrow Need?
Spiny Restharrow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Spiny Restharrow as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Spiny Restharrow 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 Ononis genus — compare its care with other Ononis species on PlantoScan.
Ononis is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Spiny Restharrow thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ononis Species
Other Ononis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ononis spinosa L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 716 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spiny Restharrow, 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 12a, 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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