Bitter Vetch Plant Care
Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Vicia ervilia, called ervil or bitter vetch, is an ancient legume crop of the Mediterranean region. Besides the English names, other common names include: gavdaneh (Persian), kersannah (Arabic), yero (Spanish), rovi (Greek), and burçak (Turkish).
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Bitter Vetch?
Bitter Vetch grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Bitter Vetch?
Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Vicia genus. Bitter Vetch is also known as Ervil.
Bitter Vetch displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Bitter Vetch produces small pea-like flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Bitter Vetch Need?
Bitter Vetch thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bitter Vetch?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bitter Vetch to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Bitter Vetch?
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 Bitter Vetch?
Bitter Vetch can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american vetch plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bitter Vetch Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bitter Vetch, 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 Bitter Vetch?
Bitter Vetch 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.
Keep exploring plants
Bitter Vetch 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 Vicia genus — compare its care with other Vicia species on PlantoScan.
Vicia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Bitter Vetch thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Vicia Species
Other Vicia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 3: 1103 (1802)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bitter Vetch, 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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