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Vicia sativa (Common vetch)

Other names: Tare, The vetch, Garden vetch, Haba del campo, Orobos, Spring vetch, Voederwikke, Winter tares

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Species
V. sativa is a trailing or climbing annual with pinnate, mid-green to blue-green leaves and tubular, purple-pink flowers from mid-spring to late summer followed by long, thin, green pods.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 1.5 m 1-2 years
4 ft 4 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grows best in moist but well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun but will tolerate a wide range of conditions. Suitable for use as a green manure.

Suggested uses

Ground Cover, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Green manure

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Climbing

Native to

Mediterranean

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

The seeds of some Vicias contain cyanide compounds and are toxic to humans and animals if eaten.

Plant care

Pruning

A vigorous, grower that tends to 'strangle' nearby plants. Prune to keep in check. If grown as a green manure, chop the leaves back and leave to wilt. Two weeks prior to planting, dig the wilted plants into the top 25cm of soil.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing in situ. To grow as a green manure, sow seeds in late summer or autumn in rows or broadcast across the soil. Rake into the surface.

Pests

Diseases

Training sweet peas

Improve soil moisture by adding well-rotted organic matter

Dig bean plants into the soil when crop is over

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (20)

Vicia

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Vicia sativa
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Vicia sativa Common vetch
Vicia cracca
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Vicia cracca Tufted vetch
Vicia faba 'Aquadulce Claudia'
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Vicia faba 'Aquadulce Claudia' Broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia'
Vicia faba 'Optica'
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Vicia faba 'Optica' Broad bean 'Optica'
Vicia faba 'Red Epicure'
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Vicia faba 'Red Epicure' Broad bean 'Red Epicure'
Vicia faba 'The Sutton'
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Vicia faba 'The Sutton' Broad bean 'The Sutton'
Vicia faba 'Bunyards Exhibition'
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Vicia faba 'Bunyards Exhibition' Broad Bean 'Bunyards Exhibition'
Vicia faba 'Giant Exhibition Longpod'
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Vicia faba 'Giant Exhibition Longpod' Broad bean 'Giant Exhibition Longpod'
Vicia faba 'Masterpiece Green Longpod'
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Vicia faba 'Masterpiece Green Longpod' Broad bean 'Masterpiece Green Longpod'
Vicia faba 'Witkiem Manita'
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Vicia faba 'Witkiem Manita' Broad bean 'Witkiem Manita'
Vicia faba 'Listra'
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Vicia faba 'Listra' Broad bean 'Listra'
Vicia faba
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Vicia faba Broad bean
Vicia faba 'Express'
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Vicia faba 'Express' Broad bean 'Express'
Vicia faba 'Talia'
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Vicia faba 'Talia' Broad bean 'Talia'
Vicia faba 'Scorpio'
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Vicia faba 'Scorpio' Broad bean 'Scorpio'
Vicia faba 'Karmazyn'
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Vicia faba 'Karmazyn' Broad bean 'Karmazyn'
Vicia faba 'Imperial Green Longpod'
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Vicia faba 'Imperial Green Longpod' Broad bean 'Imperial Green Longpod'
Vicia faba 'Stereo'
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Vicia faba 'Stereo' Broad bean 'Stereo'
Vicia faba 'Dreadnought'
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Vicia faba 'Dreadnought' Broad bean 'Dreadnought'
Vicia sepium
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Vicia sepium Bush vetch
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Vicia sativa with other Shoot members

Common vetch (Vicia sativa)

Shoot User
790 0
These plants were a suprise and I didn't know what they were. I like to think they are wild flowers rather than weeds! I think they look like an orchid with pea foliage. Samantha
Posted: Friday 22nd of May 2009 01:23 PM Last reply: Friday 22nd of May 2009 01:23 PM

Vicia sativa

Shoot User
679 0
Common vetch can be found on grassy waysides and hedgebanks. It was formerly cultivated as a fodder crop, the seeds being used as pigeon food, and has become naturalised in many places, although it is not really that common - despite the name - away from south east England.
Posted: Monday 18th of May 2009 07:07 PM Last reply: Monday 18th of May 2009 07:07 PM
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