Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Crown vetch.
Securigera varia
Pronounced seh-kyoo-ri-JER-uh VAIR-ee-uh
Also known as Securigera varia, Axseed, Crown Vetch, Crownvetch, Purple Crownvetch, Trailing Crown Vetch, crown-vetch, trailing crown-vetch
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Crown vetch is a hardy, spreading perennial that is often used for ground cover and erosion control. It produces lovely clusters of pink and white flowers that resemble small crowns. Be careful where you plant it, as it can be quite aggressive in the garden.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- Direct sun
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 1 to 2 feet tall
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- USDA 3 to 9
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early autumn
Care
This plant thrives in full sun and is very adaptable to different soil types. Keep an eye on its spread, as it can quickly take over areas if not contained. It rarely needs extra care once it is established.
- Watering
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding
- It generally does not require fertilizer if planted in decent soil.
- Pruning
- Trim back in late fall or early spring to manage its spread.
- Repotting
- Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.
- Soil
- Well draining soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.5
- Temperature
- -30 to 35°C
- Humidity
- 30 to 70%
Safety
- People
- All parts of the plant contain nitropropanoyl glucose esters which can cause neurological issues if consumed.
- Pets
- This plant is considered toxic to horses and potentially other livestock if ingested in large quantities.
- Children
- Keep children away from the plant as the seeds and foliage are toxic if ingested.
- Contact allergens
- The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals upon prolonged contact.
- Airborne allergens
- Pollen may cause mild seasonal allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Edibility
- This plant is considered toxic to livestock and humans if ingested in significant quantities.
How to identify it
- Clusters of pink and white flowers
- Compound leaves with many small leaflets
- Low growing trailing stems
- Forms dense mats of foliage
- Height
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6 to 2m
- Leaves
- green, deciduous
- Flowers
- pink, white, 1 to 2cm
- Fruit
- brown, Autumn
Problems to watch for
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Growing it
- Propagation
- seed, division, cuttings
- When to plant
- spring, autumn
Because this plant is so invasive, it is best grown in a contained area or avoided entirely in favor of native ground covers.
Grows well with
- Big Bluestem · This sturdy grass can sometimes hold its own against the aggressive spread of crown vetch.
Similar species
- Common Vetch · It shares a similar vetch-like appearance but is a true member of the Vicia genus.
Science
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Coronilla
- Order
- Fabales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Native range
- Europe, southwestern Asia, and northern Africa.
- Conservation
- It is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America and should not be planted in wild areas.
It thrives in disturbed soils and open sunny areas where it uses its deep root system to stabilize slopes.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source, larval host plant
- Pollinators
- bees, butterflies
- Uses
- erosion control, ground cover, nitrogen fixation
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 8/9
- Temperature
- 5/9
- Moisture
- 4/9
- Nutrients
- 3/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- Is crown vetch invasive?
- Yes, it is highly aggressive and often outcompetes native vegetation.
- Can I plant it in my garden?
- It is generally discouraged due to its invasive nature and difficulty to remove once established.
Where the name comes from
The name Coronilla comes from the Latin word for little crown, referring to the flower shape, while varia refers to the variable colors of the blooms.
Good to know
- It is not a true vetch despite the common name.
- It fixes nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic bacteria.
- The flowers are arranged in attractive umbels that resemble crowns.
Also in
Keep your crown vetch growing
This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.
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This guide was generated with AI on and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.