Photo: Denys VynokurovCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Bush Vetch Plant Care
Vicia onobrychioides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its unique trifoliate leaves with silvery-green coloration. Originating from Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is highly sought after by plant collectors for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Bush Vetch?
Water Bush Vetch 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Bush Vetch Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Italy
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Bush Vetch?
Bush Vetch (Vicia onobrychioides) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Vicia genus. Bush Vetch is native to southern Europe and northwestern Africa. Bush Vetch is also known as Hairy Tare.
Bush Vetch displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bush Vetch produces small pea-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bush Vetch?
Vicia onobrychioides 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 Bush Vetch Need?
Bush Vetch thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bush Vetch Prefer?
Vicia onobrychioides grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Bush Vetch prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bush Vetch?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bush Vetch to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bush Vetch?
Feed Bush Vetch every 2 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 2 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 Bush 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 Bush Vetch?
Bush Vetch can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american vetch plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bush Vetch Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bush 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 Bush Vetch?
Bush 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bush Vetch Need?
Bush Vetch grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Bush Vetch is native to southern Europe and northwestern Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Bush 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.
Bush 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 onobrychioides L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 735 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bush 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.
- Photo: Denys Vynokurov, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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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