How to Grow Lucernes

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing	0	RHS: propagate from seed sown in autumn. PFAF instead describes a spring sowing: pre-soak seed for 12 hours in warm water, then sow in situ; seed emerges within 7-14 days. The two sources genuinely differ on season -- both are given rather than silently picking one.
Establishment (deep taproot)	3	PFAF: develops a carrot-like taproot descending 6 metres or more into the soil, giving the plant genuine drought resilience once established; growth habit is described as a "clumper with limited spread" rather than a running or invasive plant.
Flowering	6	RHS: small purple flowers appear in summer, followed by flat, pea-like fruits. PFAF: under optimal conditions the plant reaches maturity within 60-90 days of sowing.
Harvest (leaves, seed, or sprouts)	8	PFAF: harvest young leaves and shoots through the growing season; alternatively, harvest mature seed to sprout indoors year-round -- ready to eat in as little as 4-6 days from soaking.

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Drainage	Well-drained (both sources); RHS: grows in most situations including poor, dry soil; PFAF: prefers rich, friable, loamy soil with loose topsoil and added lime, does not tolerate waterlogging.
Lifecycle	PFAF: perennial, fast-growing, a "clumper with limited spread" thanks to a taproot that can descend 6 metres or more into the soil.
Edible parts	leaves, sprouts, seeds

At a Glance

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: PFAF: pick young leaves and shoots before they toughen, eaten raw, cooked, or dried for later use. For sprouts specifically: soak seed 12 hours in warm water, then keep moist in a warm place -- ready to eat in about 4-6 days.

Storage

PFAF: dry leaves/shoots for longer storage; sprouted seed is best eaten fresh soon after sprouting, following safe sprouting hygiene practices given the risk of foodborne bacteria on raw sprouts.

Diseases

Bacterial wilt (unspecified, alfalfa)

RHS: may develop bacterial wilt; no causal organism named, so kept as a generic entry rather than a fabricated one.

Pests

Leafhoppers

Cicadellidae (various spp.)

RHS names leafhoppers generically among the pests affecting this species.

Alfalfa weevil

Hypera postica

RHS names alfalfa weevil among the pests affecting this species.

Spotted alfalfa aphid

Therioaphis maculata

RHS names spotted aphids among the pests affecting this species.

What the research guides add

Lucerne and alfalfa are the same plant, a long-lived perennial legume, and the USDA fact sheet gives the soil conditions it insists on.

• A long-lived perennial legume with a taproot that may penetrate deep into the soil. (USDA NRCS)
• It grows best on deep, well-drained, friable soils, and the pH of the soil should be 6.5 or above. (USDA NRCS)
• The seedbed must be smooth, firm, free of weeds and contain adequate moisture; the land needs good surface drainage, and alfalfa should not be seeded as a first crop on newly levelled land where fill may settle. (USDA NRCS)
• Seed no deeper than ¼ inch on finer soils and ½ inch on sandy soils. Spring seedings can be made 30 days before the average date of the last killing frost; later seedings can be made in late summer. (USDA NRCS)
• Alfalfa carries a high bloat hazard, so take care if using it for grazing. (USDA NRCS)

Sources for this section

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Plant Fact Sheet: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Section researched and checked on 25 October 2026 by the SoilCommander Editorial Team. How we check facts: editorial policy.

Sources

1. Plants For A Future (PFAF) - Medicago sativa

   Habitat: waste ground, avoiding acid soils. Soil: rich, friable, well-drained loamy soil with loose topsoil supplied with lime; mildly acid, neutral or basic, cannot grow in strongly acidic conditions. Sun: full sun, cannot grow in shade. Moisture: prefers well-drained, tolerates dry and moist, does not tolerate waterlogging. Size/habit: perennial to 1m, fast growth rate, taproot like a carrot descending 6m or more, "clumper with limited spread". Propagation: pre-soak seed 12 hours in warm water, then sow in spring in situ; emerges in 7-14 days, matures in 60-90 days under optimal conditions. Edible use: leaves/shoots raw or cooked or dried, very rich in vitamins A, B and C; sprouted seed (pre-soak 12 hours, then keep moist and warm, ready in 4-6 days); ground seed mixed with cereal flours for nutritionally improved bread. Medicinal use: antiscorbutic, aperient, diuretic, haemostatic, nutritive, stimulant, tonic; nutritive tonic to stimulate appetite; vitamin K aids blood clotting; used for asthma, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders. Safety: contains saponin-like substances, large quantities may cause red blood cell breakdown; sprouts contain canavanine, ingestion can cause recurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus; avoid during pregnancy/lactation and for people with gout; may interfere with warfarin and corticosteroids. Also: a good bee plant and a food plant for many caterpillars. No specific pest/disease information given.

These source is specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (Plants For A Future (PFAF), Royal Horticultural Society) is in the references of our UK guide to lucerne; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.