Photo: Patrick HackerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Plant Care
Lotus maritimus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lotus maritimus, also known as seaside bird's-foot trefoil, is a unique plant with silver-gray foliage that forms dense mats. It is native to coastal regions and salt marshes, making it ideal for seaside gardens. Plant enthusiasts appreciate its ability to thrive in harsh saltwater environments.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Water Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus maritimus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lotus genus. Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil is native to Europe, Africa and temperate Asia.
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil produces showy pink or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Lotus maritimus requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Need?
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Prefer?
Lotus maritimus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Feed Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Repot annually 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 Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to arabian lotus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sea Bird's-foot 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 Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil?
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars. 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 Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil Need?
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil is native to Europe, Africa and temperate Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Sea Bird's-foot 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 Lotus genus — compare its care with other Lotus species on PlantoScan.
Lotus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Sea Bird's-foot Trefoil thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lotus Species
Other Lotus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lotus maritimus L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 773 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sea Bird's-foot 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.
- Photo: Patrick Hacker, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, 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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