plant

Hairy vetch

Vicia villosa

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) — a plant, for Full sun, Medium water. Companions: Corn Maize.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Biomasshigh

Companions

Through the year

Emergence

Emergence typically occurs after the last spring frost when soil temperatures consistently reach 50C.

Flowering

Flowering is triggered by lengthening photoperiods and rising air temperatures, usually starting in late spring.

Fruiting

Fruiting follows flowering, with pods developing over several weeks.

Senescence

Senescence begins with the first autumn frosts, leading to plant die-back.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained to moderately well-drained
Nitrogen fixingYes
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatesnitrogen
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterHigh
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed
Difficulty1 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Self-seedingAggressive

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, beneficial insects