How much sun does American vetch need?

American vetch grows best in full sun conditions.

When does American vetch bloom?

American vetch blooms in April, May, June, and July.

Where is American vetch native?

American vetch (Vicia americana) is native to AZ, CA, CO, DC and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does American vetch host?

American vetch is a larval host plant for silvery blue.

American vetch

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Vicia americana

Last reviewed: November 2026

American vetch (Vicia americana) is a perennial vine native to AZ, CA, CO, DC and 25 more states. It blooms in April, May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for American vetch, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

American vetch (Vicia americana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, DC and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like American vetch.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Piedmont Ridge and Valley Madrean Archipelago Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A sprawling, tendril-climbing legume vine with pinnate leaves and clusters of blue-purple pea flowers, scrambling low over grasses and neighboring plants at meadow and prairie edges. Left untrained it tangles into an informal mass rather than a tidy clump.

Growing American vetch

Grow American vetch in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for silvery blue.

This vetch is a documented larval host for the silvery blue butterfly, and its flowers are a strong draw for native bees.

Common questions

How much sun does American vetch need?: American vetch grows best in full sun conditions.
When does American vetch bloom?: American vetch blooms in April, May, June, and July.
Where is American vetch native?: American vetch (Vicia americana) is native to AZ, CA, CO, DC and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does American vetch host?: American vetch is a larval host plant for silvery blue.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow American vetch? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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