• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb plant with green leafy stems and purple flower clusters growing in a sunny garden.
  • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb plant with green leafy stems and purple flower clusters growing in a sunny garden.
  • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) herb plant with green leafy stems and purple flower clusters growing in a sunny garden.
1 3

Eden Valley Seeds

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Medicinal Herb Seeds for Home Gardens

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Medicinal Herb Seeds for Home Gardens

$16.99 USD
$16.99 USD
Sale Sold out
size

DELIVERY ESTIMATE

—

Estimated arrival

ORDER—Order placed
ORDER READY—Processing estimate
DELIVERED—Estimated delivery

♢

Secure checkout
Carefully packed seeds
Tracked delivery
Quality-focused selection
View full details

Key Features

  • Plant Variety: Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial legume.

  • Flower Colors: Produces clusters of purple to violet flowers.

  • Plant Characteristics: Features leafy green foliage, deep roots, and slender stems.

  • Garden Uses: Suitable for herb gardens, forage planting, and soil improvement.

  • Unique Feature: Its roots support nitrogen fixation, helping enrich the soil naturally.

Growing Benefits

  • Adds a useful perennial legume to home and kitchen gardens.

  • Supports soil health through natural nitrogen fixation.

  • Attracts bees and other pollinators when flowering.

  • Provides leafy growth for suitable forage and garden applications.

  • Offers an interesting choice for gardeners exploring traditional medicinal herbs.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Alfalfa, Lucerne

  • Botanical Name: Medicago sativa

  • Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous legume

  • Colors: Green foliage with purple, violet, or occasionally blue-toned flowers.

  • Height: Typically around one to three feet in garden conditions, sometimes taller depending on variety and environment.

  • Sunlight: Full sun

  • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil; prefers near-neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.

  • Water: Moderate watering; maintain moisture during establishment while avoiding waterlogged soil.

  • Germination Time: Often about one to two weeks under favorable conditions.

  • Sowing Depth: Approximately one-quarter inch deep.

  • Spacing: Thin seedlings to around six to twelve inches apart for individual plants.

  • Growing Zones: Commonly grown in USDA Zones three through nine, depending on cultivar and local conditions.

  • Flowering/Maturity: Flowers during the growing season after establishment; timing varies with climate and growing conditions.

  • Uses: Herb gardens, forage, cover cropping, soil improvement, and traditional herbal applications.

Growing Tips

  • Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for healthy growth.

  • Sow seeds shallowly and cover them with a light layer of soil.

  • Water gently during germination and avoid keeping the soil saturated.

  • Thin crowded seedlings to encourage stronger roots and airflow.

Seed Storage

Store alfalfa seeds in a sealed, moisture-resistant container in a cool, dry, dark location. Keep them away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Label the container with the seed variety and storage date to help track freshness.

Unique Facts About Alfalfa Seeds

  • Nitrogen fixation: Alfalfa forms a relationship with beneficial root bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use.

  • Deep root system: Established plants can develop deep roots that help them access moisture from lower soil layers.

  • Pollinator-friendly flowers: Its purple flower clusters can attract bees and other beneficial pollinators.

  • Traditional herbal use: Alfalfa has a history of use in traditional herbal preparations, although medicinal benefits are not guaranteed and safety depends on the preparation and individual circumstances.

Growing Instructions

Planting Season

Sow alfalfa in spring after severe frost has passed, or in early autumn where conditions allow sufficient establishment before cold weather. In warm climates, choose a period with moderate temperatures and avoid extreme heat.

Sowing and Seed Depth

Prepare a weed-free planting area and loosen the soil. Scatter the seeds evenly or sow them in shallow rows, covering them with approximately one-quarter inch of fine soil. Avoid burying seeds too deeply, as this can hinder emergence.

Spacing

For individual garden plants, thin seedlings to approximately six to twelve inches apart. For cover cropping or forage planting, spacing and seeding rates will depend on the intended use.

Sunlight and Soil

Select a location receiving full sun for most of the day. Alfalfa grows best in fertile, well-drained soil and generally prefers a near-neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid poorly drained areas where water collects.

Watering

Keep the soil lightly and consistently moist during germination. Once plants are established, water according to rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions. Although alfalfa tolerates some dry periods, prolonged drought can reduce growth.

Germination

Seeds commonly germinate within one to two weeks under suitable moisture and temperature conditions. Cooler weather, dry soil, or poor seed quality may delay emergence.

Transplanting

Alfalfa develops a taproot and is generally best sown directly into its permanent growing location. If transplanting is necessary, move young seedlings carefully before their roots become established, minimizing root disturbance.

Fertilizing

Prepare the soil with a soil test where possible. Alfalfa does not usually need heavy nitrogen fertilization when effective nitrogen fixation is established. Correct phosphorus, potassium, or soil pH deficiencies according to test recommendations.

Plant Care

Keep the planting area free of weeds while seedlings are young. Avoid waterlogged soil and monitor plants for pests or disease. Established plants can regrow after cutting when managed appropriately.

Flowering and Maturity

Alfalfa produces purple flower clusters when established and growing conditions are favorable. Flowering time varies with planting date, climate, and variety. Allow plants to mature naturally if you want to observe their flowers and seed development.

Important: Alfalfa is traditionally used as an herb, but this listing does not establish that the seeds are certified for medicinal consumption. Do not assume seeds intended for planting are food-grade.