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Creeping Bush-clover

Lespedeza repens

Last reviewed: August 2026

Creeping Bush-clover (Lespedeza repens)
Photo: ragbird / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Creeping Bush-clover (Lespedeza repens) 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

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 18 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Cross TimbersEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Creeping lespedeza is a low-growing, trailing native legume that forms dense mats of small compound leaves. It produces clusters of tiny pink to purple flowers from summer into early fall, followed by small seed pods. This drought-tolerant groundcover thrives in poor soils and helps prevent erosion on slopes.

In an HOA neighborhood

Creeping Bush-clover 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.

  • Spreading vine habit looks uncontrolled
  • Can appear weedy and unkempt
  • May be confused with invasive vines

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during its long blooming period. As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides habitat for beneficial insects.

Common questions

How much sun does Creeping Bush-clover need?
Creeping Bush-clover grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Creeping Bush-clover bloom?
Creeping Bush-clover blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Creeping Bush-clover native?
Creeping Bush-clover (Lespedeza repens) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 18 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Creeping Bush-clover attract?
Creeping Bush-clover draws bees and butterflies.
Is Creeping Bush-clover HOA-friendly?
Creeping Bush-clover 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 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

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