Serradella Plant Care
Ornithopus sativus Brot.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ornithopus sativus, the serradella or common birdsfoot, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa in Portugal, western Spain, northern Morocco and Algeria, and southwestern France and has been introduced as a legume forage to many locations around the world, including most of central and eastern Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, the Azores, South Africa, Kenya, Java, most of Australia, the North Island of New Zealand, southern Chile, and California.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Serradella?
Water Serradella every 7–14 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 Serradella?
Serradella (Ornithopus sativus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Ornithopus genus. Serradella is also known as Purple Bird's-foot.
Serradella displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Serradella produces small white or pink pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Serradella?
Ornithopus sativus requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Serradella Need?
Serradella thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Serradella Prefer?
Ornithopus sativus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Serradella prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Serradella?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Serradella to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Serradella?
Feed Serradella 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 Serradella?
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 Serradella?
Serradella can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to common bird's-foot plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Serradella Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Serradella, 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 Serradella?
Serradella 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Serradella Need?
Serradella grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Serradella as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Serradella 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 Ornithopus genus — compare its care with other Ornithopus species on PlantoScan.
Ornithopus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Serradella 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: Ornithopus sativus Brot., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Lusit. 2: 160 (1804)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Serradella, 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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