Giant vetch
Vicia gigantea
Last reviewed: October 2026
Giant vetch (Vicia gigantea) is a perennial vine native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown
Giant vetch (Vicia gigantea) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–96" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bumble bees, hummingbirds
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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A robust, climbing perennial vine with compound leaves and dense spikes of maroon-purple flowers. It scrambles over shrubs and thickets along coastal bluffs and streambanks using tendrils.
Growing Giant vetch
Grow Giant vetch in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its flowers are visited by bumble bees, and hummingbirds occasionally feed at the blossoms.
Common questions
- How much sun does Giant vetch need?
- Giant vetch grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Giant vetch bloom?
- Giant vetch blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Giant vetch native?
- Giant vetch (Vicia gigantea) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Giant vetch attract?
- Giant vetch draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Giant vetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
