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Alfalfa

Medicago Sativa

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Overview

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial flowering legume thriving in USDA zones 4-8. This hardy plant reaches up to 3 feet high and spreads 2 feet wide. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for open, sunny landscapes. Its deep taproots enrich soil with nitrogen, supporting adjacent plant health. Showcasing purple blooms, Alfalfa offers forage for livestock and attracts pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in garden ecosystems.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 4–9Type PerennialClimate Temperate

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — adding texture and interest to the landscape

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Climate: Temperate

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Photos (95)

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — perennial with purple blooms; adding nitrogen back into the soil through its root nodules

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Alfalfa's deep root system

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — extending up to 15-20 feet in optimal soil conditions; which bloom from late spring to early autumn

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — incorporating alfalfa offers an environmentally-friendly option for lawn alternatives or green mulch

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — It requires full sun exposure and well-drained soil

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Regular mowing or cutting can keep this vigorously growing plant in check and encourage dense; this hardy plant reaches, image 75

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — extending up to 15-20 feet in optimal soil conditions

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — After flowering, the plant produces spiraled seed pods, each containing 2-3 seeds

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its high nutritional value and versatility within a garden design; alfalfa, image 60

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its high nutritional value and versatility within a garden design

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Regular mowing or cutting can keep this vigorously growing plant in check and encourage dense; this hardy plant reaches up to 3

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — perennial for full

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its high nutritional value and versatility within a garden design; alfalfa (Medicago

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Regular mowing or cutting can keep this vigorously growing plant in check and encourage dense

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — This hardy plant reaches up to 3 feet high and spreads 2 feet wide; after flowering, the plant produces spiraled seed, image 54

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — This hardy plant reaches up to 3 feet high and spreads 2 feet wide; after flowering, the plant produces spiraled seed pods, each

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — which bloom from late spring to early autumn; it acts as a soil conditioner

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial flowering legume thriving in USDA zones 4-8; its deep taproots enrich soil with nitrogen

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — perennial with purple blooms

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — Its deep taproots enrich soil with nitrogen, supporting adjacent plant health; perennial with purple blooms

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — A member of the Fabaceae family; is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its high nutritional value and versatility, image 61

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — its attractive foliage and flowers can provide a modest aesthetic appeal

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — scientifically known as Medicago sativa; incorporating alfalfa offers an environmentally-friendly option for lawn, image 59

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) — After flowering, the plant produces spiraled seed pods, each containing 2-3 seeds; it requires full sun exposure and, image 63

Photographs by 14 contributors

Enrico Blasutto, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Harry Rose from South West Rocks,…, CC BY 2.0 · source
Benjamin Zwittnig, CC BY 2.5 si · source
Foraminifera1991, CC BY 4.0 · source
Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Sun Jiao (Interaccoonale), CC BY 4.0 · source
Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Macleay Grass Man, CC BY 2.0 · source
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, CC BY 4.0 · source
Hüseyin Cahid Doğan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Howard F. Schwartz, CC BY 3.0 · source
Lazaregagnidze, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Ninjatacoshell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

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