Vicia lutea
Vicia lutea · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant vicia lutea: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to July
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy to -15 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin and Central Europe
- Soil type
- Well-draining, undemanding
Care
Watering
Water regularly during active growth, especially during dry periods. Once established, yellow vetch tolerates drought well thanks to its deep root system. Avoid excess moisture, which would encourage root rot.
Light Exposure
Plant your yellow vetch in full sun or partial shade. It flowers more abundantly with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. However, it also tolerates more partially shaded situations.
Soil Preparation
This legume prefers well-draining soil, even if poor or chalky. No organic matter amendment is necessary before planting. It naturally enriches the soil thanks to its symbiosis with bacteria of the Rhizobium genus.
Fertilizer
Yellow vetch generally requires no fertilizer, as it fixes atmospheric nitrogen by itself. In very depleted soil, a moderate addition of compost at planting time is sufficient. Avoid nitrogen-based fertilizers, which would reduce its fixing capacity.
Pruning and Maintenance
No real pruning is necessary, except to limit its spread in growing areas. You can pinch young plants to encourage better branching. After flowering, leave the pods for natural reseeding.
Pests and Diseases
Yellow vetch is generally little subject to diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in cases of excessive moisture and poor air circulation. Aphids may occasionally colonize young shoots; a water spray will often be sufficient.
Did you know?
Yellow vetch is a highly valuable melliferous plant loved by bees and bumblebees. Historically, it has been used in organic farming and crop rotation to naturally enrich soil with nitrogen, a practice dating back to ancient Romans and remaining essential in modern agroecology.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.