Alfalfa plant

Alfalfa plant growing herbaceous fabaceae of the genus Medicago also known as Lucerne or Medicago sativa, Alfalfa plant perennial evergreen or cold deciduous plant, used for edible sprouts also used as ornamental plant and it’s drought tolerant that also fixing nitrogen (roots system go to 15m (45 feet)), can grow in temperate, mediterranean, desert or subtropical, climate and growing in hardiness zone 4-11.

Alfalfa plant Plants, Seeds & Supplies for Sale

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Leaves edible color green in elliptic shape.

Alfalfa plant flower

Flower color purple in pea shape flower, flowers grow in clusters.

Seeds edible in brown color, in bean shape.

Sprouts edible and takes one 5-8 days to grow it from seeds to eat

Alfalfa plant for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy

How to grow Alfalfa plant growing and care:

Well-drained soil

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative reproduction

Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
No

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Aggressive

Planting season:
Spring or autumn in hot climate

Pests and diseases:
?

Pruning season:
All year

How to prune:
Just for design

Size of the plant:
60-100cm, 24-40 inches

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing

Water requirement:
Small amount of water / Average amount of water / Big amount of water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full sun / Half shade / Full shade (only sprouts)

Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
Yes

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes

Blooming information

Bloom season?
Summer

General information about the flower:
Pea shape flowers in purple color

Pollination is done by:
Bees

Edible Seeds

Seeds harvest season:
Autumn

Seeds pests or diseases:
Birds

What can be done with big quantities of Alfalfa seeds?
Cooked

Work requirements on the seeds:
Collect

How long does it take to bear seeds?
0.5-1 year

Edible leaves

Leaves harvesting season:
Spring to autumn in cold climate, and in hardiness zone of 10b can be all year

How to harvest the leaves?
After the plant establish (take at least half year) possible to start to prune how much that needed

Information about leaves:
Leaves edible color green in elliptic shape

Uses of Medicago sativa leaves:
Cooked

Scientific name:

Medicago sativa

Blooming Seasons	Spring flowers Summer flowers
Edible Parts	Edible leaves Edible Seeds
Culinary uses	Cooked
Flower colors	Purple flower
Climate	Desert Climate Mediterranean Climate Subtropics Climate Temperate Climate
Harvest Season	Autumn Harvest Spring Harvest Summer Harvest
Ornamental parts	Ornamental leaves Ornamental plant
Plant growing speed	Average growing plants Fast growing plants
Plant life-form	Deciduous Evergreen Herbaceous Legumes Perennial plant
Plant Uses	Drought tolerant plants Edible plants Ground fixing plants Indoor plants Ornamental plants
Planting Season	Autumn Planting Spring Planting Summer planting
Plants sun exposure	Full sun Plants Part shade Plants Shade Plants
Watering plants	Big amount of water Regularly water Small amounts of water
Hardiness zone	Hardiness zone 10 Hardiness zone 11 Hardiness zone 4 Hardiness zone 5 Hardiness zone 6 Hardiness zone 7 Hardiness zone 8 Hardiness zone 9

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grows to 60-100 cm (24-40 in) in the ground, and the grower lists it as suitable indoors and in containers. Indoors it is mostly grown as nutritious sprouts and microgreens on a kitchen counter, while a full-size plant wants a very bright spot or the outdoors.

Quick Details

Container Size: A 10-20 L (3-5 gal) pot for a full plant, or a shallow tray/jar for sprouts and microgreens
Indoor Suitability: Suitable indoors – easy as sprouts/microgreens; a mature plant needs a very bright sill
Best Spot: Full sun to half shade for plants; sprouts germinate in shade, then greened in light
Soil & Drainage: Free-draining mix; as a legume it fixes its own nitrogen and is not demanding
Watering in Pots: Average – keep evenly moist; rinse sprouts twice daily and drain well

Indoors & On the Windowsill

As a houseplant: The grower lists it as suitable indoors. Most people grow it indoors for sprouts or microgreens – quick, easy and needing little light to start.
Windowsill: To grow a leafy plant indoors, give it the brightest sill; in low light it grows thin and weak.
Sprouts: Rinse and drain seeds a couple of times a day in a jar or tray; harvest in a few days.

On a Balcony or Patio

Light & wind: Give it the sunniest spot; walls, railings and paving throw back heat so pots dry quickly – check moisture often and shelter or stake it on an exposed, windy balcony.
Practicalities: Account for the weight of a full pot and make sure drainage water can run away freely without staining the balcony.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

Pot & drainage: Use a pot with strong drainage holes and skip a standing-water saucer to avoid root rot; terracotta breathes and dries faster, while glazed or plastic holds moisture longer.
Potting mix: Well-aerated and organic-rich – a quality potting mix, or peat/coir with perlite or vermiculite.
Feeding: As a nitrogen-fixing legume it needs little feeding – the odd light, low-nitrogen feed is enough for potted plants.
Repotting: Refresh the surface mix each year and pot on or divide every couple of years, trimming the roots lightly once it fills the container.

Bloom & Edible Flower Guide