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Plant care

Kidney Vetch (Lady's Fingers) care

Anthyllis vulneraria

Also called Kidney Vetch, Lady's Fingers, Woundwort.

RHS H6USDA 4-9Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 15–40 cm tall

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Low; drought-tolerant once established

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Poor, well-drained, calcareous to neutral

Humidity

Low

Temp

-20 to 28°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

15–40 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Kidney Vetch needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Requires full sun; will not thrive in any shade. Best sited on open, south-facing slopes or rock gardens that receive unobstructed sunlight throughout the day. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water kidney vetch low; drought-tolerant once established. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Naturally adapted to dry, free-draining soils; regular watering is only needed during establishment. Waterlogging is fatal to the roots.

Soil and pot

Kidney Vetch grows best in poor, well-drained, calcareous to neutral. Thrives in thin, stony, or sandy soils with a neutral to alkaline pH; avoid enriching the soil as fertile conditions promote rank leafy growth and suppress flowering. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Kidney Vetch sits happiest at around Low humidity and -20 to 28°C (-4 to 82°F). Prefers the dry, open conditions of chalk downland and coastal clifftops; high ambient humidity in sheltered positions can encourage fungal issues on the woolly flower heads. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed kidney vetch sparingly. Do not fertilise; as a nitrogen-fixing legume it thrives in nutrient-poor conditions and feeding promotes weak, leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on kidney vetch in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root rot in heavy or waterlogged soil — The most common cause of plant death; ensure planting site has excellent drainage and avoid any soil enrichment or mulching directly over the crown.
  • Aphid infestation — Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) and related species can colonise stems and flower heads; small infestations are tolerated and attract beneficial predators, but heavy infestations may be controlled with a firm water jet or insecticidal soap.

Propagation

Sow fresh seed in autumn directly into free-draining compost with extra grit; cold temperatures aid germination. Lightly scarify or soak seeds for 24 hours before spring sowing. Division of established clumps is possible but resents root disturbance. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Kidney Vetch is mildly toxic to pets. Anthyllis vulneraria is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. No confirmed records of significant toxicity to dogs or cats have been found in veterinary literature; however, as the ASPCA safety status is unconfirmed, it is classified here as mildly-toxic as a precaution. Seek veterinary advice if ingestion is suspected. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Kidney Vetch care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Anthyllis vulneraria?

Anthyllis vulneraria is most commonly called Kidney Vetch, but it is also known as Kidney Vetch, Lady's Fingers, Woundwort. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Kidney Vetch apply identically to anything sold as Lady's Fingers.

How much light does kidney vetch need?

Kidney Vetch grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Requires full sun; will not thrive in any shade. Best sited on open, south-facing slopes or rock gardens that receive unobstructed sunlight throughout the day.

How often should I water kidney vetch?

Water kidney vetch low; drought-tolerant once established. Naturally adapted to dry, free-draining soils; regular watering is only needed during establishment. Waterlogging is fatal to the roots. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is kidney vetch toxic to cats and dogs?

Kidney Vetch is mildly toxic to pets. Anthyllis vulneraria is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. No confirmed records of significant toxicity to dogs or cats have been found in veterinary literature; however, as the ASPCA safety status is unconfirmed, it is classified here as mildly-toxic as a precaution. Seek veterinary advice if ingestion is suspected.

What USDA hardiness zone does kidney vetch grow in?

Kidney Vetch is rated for USDA zone 4-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Kidney Vetch deep-dive guides

Every aspect of kidney vetch care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Kidney Vetch qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Kidney Vetch is also known as Kidney Vetch, Lady's Fingers, and Woundwort.