Lespedeza procumbens
🍃leaf (1)
🌸flower (2)

Lespedeza procumbens

Trailing lespedeza · Trailing Bush-clover · Downy Trailing Bush-clover · Creeping bush clover

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Water every
7 days
Temperature
5–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 4–9
Click count
188
Observations
15

Description

Source: leafsnap

Lespedeza procumbens, commonly known as trailing lespedeza or prostrate lespedeza, is a low-growing perennial plant in the legume family. Native to North America, it thrives in various habitats, including prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. The plant exhibits a prostrate growth habit, with stems that can extend up to 3 feet in length. Its small, trifoliate leaves are dark green, and it produces pink or purple flowers that bloom from July to September. Lespedeza procumbens offers several ecological benefits. It provides food for wildlife such as deer, rabbits, quail, and other birds and helps to prevent soil erosion with its extensive root system. Native Americans have utilized the plant for medicinal purposes, treating ailments like diarrhea, dysentery, and fever. Overall, Lespedeza procumbens is an attractive, low-growing perennial that offers ecological benefits and medicinal properties, making it a valuable species within its native range.

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days

Trailing Bush Clover thrives when watered weekly because this schedule mimics its natural rainfall pattern. The plant prefers moderate moisture and benefits from a consistent watering routine. Common in temperate regions, this outdoor plant is resilient to short dry spells, but it truly flourishes with regular watering, which positively influences its growth cycle and seasonal behavior.

Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun

Trailing Bush Clover is a sun-loving, perennial, herbaceous plant native to open habitats and commonly found in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun exposure but can also tolerate partial sun conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C

Trailing Bush Clover can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be restricted by various combinations of moisture and heat. It does best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures can increase the risk of Trailing Bush Clover dying. In winter, protecting the plant from cold can boost its chances of survival.

Ideal temperature: 5–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Trailing Bush Clover is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and starts active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients needed for healthy development. While Trailing Bush Clover generally requires little fertilizer, applying it once a year can improve its survival and encourage improved, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

To keep Trailing Bush Clover healthy and well-shaped, it's best to prune it between early and late spring. Pruning helps remove old branches, improve air circulation, and encourage flowering. When trimming, take care not to cut too close to the new buds; this ensures the best results and enhances the plant's appearance.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Lespedeza
Family
Fabaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-9
Mature Height
30 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
61 cm to 91 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Purple, Blue, Pink, Red
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid fall, Late fall

Tags (7)

Common Names (4)

en Trailing lespedeza
en Trailing Bush-clover
en Downy Trailing Bush-clover
en Creeping bush clover