Alfalfa.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Legume

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

3 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 9

Floración

Late spring to early autumn

Cuidados

Ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot in this moisture loving plant. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. Keep the area free of weeds to help your crop thrive.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Abonado

Apply a phosphorus rich fertilizer if the soil tests low.

Poda

Harvest regularly to encourage new growth and prevent flowering.

Trasplante

Usually grown in fields, but if in containers, refresh soil annually.

Suelo

Well drained loam

pH del suelo

6.5 to 7.5

Temperatura

-30 a 40°C

Humedad

30 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Alta

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Baja

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered safe, though excessive consumption of seeds or sprouts can be problematic for some individuals.

Niños

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the seeds are small and pose a minor choking hazard.

Alérgenos por contacto

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in susceptible people during the peak bloom period.

Comestibilidad

Alfalfa sprouts should be consumed with caution due to potential bacterial contamination risks.

Cómo identificarla

• Compound leaves with three leaflets
• Small clusters of purple flowers
• Serrated edges on upper leaflets
• Deep taproot system

Altura

0,3 a 1m

Anchura

0,3 a 0,6m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

purple, violet, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

brown, Late summer

Problemas frecuentes

• Alfalfa Weevil — Larvae feed on the leaves and can cause significant foliage damage.
• Leaf Spot — Fungal infections cause dark spots on leaves, often during humid weather.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

The plant goes dormant in winter, so simply leave the foliage to die back naturally to protect the crown.

En maceta

Not ideal for containers due to its extensive taproot system.

Pair alfalfa with grasses to maximize soil coverage and forage quality.

Buenas compañeras

• Avena — They are often grown together to provide a balanced forage mix.
• Bromus inermis — This grass provides structural support for the alfalfa stems.

Especies parecidas

• Black medic — It is a smaller, related legume often found in similar habitats.

Ciencia

Familia

Fabaceae

Género

Medicago

Orden

Fabales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

South-central Asia

Conservación

Alfalfa is a widely cultivated agricultural crop and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny fields where its deep roots access moisture during dry spells.

Valor para la fauna

excellent nectar source, supports beneficial insects

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

cover crop, livestock forage, soil improvement, culinary sprouts

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does alfalfa need fertilizer?

It fixes its own nitrogen, so it rarely needs supplemental nitrogen.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is better suited for garden beds due to its deep taproot.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Medicago comes from the ancient region of Media, while sativa means cultivated.

Bueno saberlo

• Alfalfa roots can grow up to 15 feet deep into the soil.
• The name comes from an Arabic phrase meaning best fodder.
• It is one of the most important forage crops in the world.

También en

• Plantas resistentes a la sequía