Canada Milk-vetch
Astragalus canadensis
Last reviewed: June 2026
Astragalus canadensis is a drought-tolerant native perennial that blooms white to cream flowers from May through July across most of North America. This hardy milk-vetch thrives in prairies and open areas, attracting bees and butterflies.
Canada Milk-vetch (Astragalus canadensis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Canada Milk-vetch is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, AR, CA, CO and 37 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Canada milk-vetch is a native legume that forms upright clumps with delicate compound leaves and spikes of cream-colored flowers. This drought-tolerant perennial blooms from May through July and goes dormant in winter. It's well-suited for sunny, low-water gardens where it can naturalize over time.
Growing Canada Milk-vetch
Grow Canada Milk-vetch in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Canada Milk-vetch takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Can appear weedy or wild to conventional tastes
- May spread beyond intended boundaries
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the long summer bloom period. As a legume, it also helps improve soil nitrogen for neighboring plants.
Common questions
- When does Canada Milk-vetch bloom?
- Canada Milk-vetch typically blooms from May through July, producing clusters of white to cream-colored pea-like flowers.
- What pollinators visit Astragalus canadensis?
- Canada Milk-vetch attracts various bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. Native bees are particularly important pollinators for this species.
- Where is Canada Milk-vetch native?
- This species is native across a wide range of North American states, from coast to coast including the Great Plains, parts of the Southeast, Mountain West, and scattered populations in eastern states.
- What growing conditions does Canada Milk-vetch prefer?
- Canada Milk-vetch thrives in full sun to partial sun with low to moderate water requirements. It is well-adapted to prairie conditions and drought tolerance.
- Is Canada Milk-vetch toxic to dogs?
- Canada Milk-vetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Canada Milk-vetch toxic to cats?
- Canada Milk-vetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Canada Milk-vetch toxic to livestock?
- Canada Milk-vetch is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- Is Canada Milk-vetch HOA-friendly?
- Canada Milk-vetch takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Canada Milk-vetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz