Medicago sativa

The botanical name for alfalfa (lucerne) — a deep-rooted, nitrogen-fixing perennial legume grown for crisp sprouts and as forage and green manure.
Best selling Best selling
Filter
3 products

Medicago sativa — alfalfa (lucerne)

Medicago sativa is the botanical name for alfalfa, also known as lucerne — a deep-rooted perennial legume in the pea family (Fabaceae) grown both for nutritious sprouts and as a soil-enriching forage and green-manure crop. It is the species behind our alfalfa range within the wider vegetable collection.

History & origin

Alfalfa is one of the oldest cultivated forage crops, native to central and western Asia and grown for thousands of years. It spread early to the Mediterranean — ancient writers record it being introduced to Greece — and from there across Europe and, much later, around the world as a premier feed for livestock.

Its names hint at that journey: the word alfalfa comes through Spanish from Arabic, while sativa simply means "cultivated." In Britain and much of Europe it is traditionally known as lucerne, long valued as one of the most productive and protein-rich forage legumes a farmer can grow.

Botanical characteristics

Medicago sativa is a clover-like perennial with trifoliate leaves, clusters of small purple to violet pea-flowers, and distinctive coiled, spiral seed pods. Its defining feature lies underground: a remarkably deep taproot that can reach several metres, drawing up water and nutrients and, with the help of root-nodule bacteria, fixing atmospheric nitrogen to enrich the soil. That same vigour makes it both a long-lived hay crop and an excellent green manure.

Growing Medicago sativa from seed

As a green manure, sow the fine seed onto cleared, warm ground in the growing season, let it establish, then cut and dig it in before flowering to release its nitrogen into the soil. The same seed sprouts readily indoors for crisp salad shoots in a matter of days. Our vegetable growing guide covers the basics, and the vegetable sowing calendar helps with timing.

Ready to grow it? Browse the range or read up first.

Related categories: Alfalfa · Cover Crops · Microgreens & Sprouts · Legumes · All Vegetables

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is the difference between alfalfa and lucerne?
None — they're two names for the same plant, Medicago sativa. Lucerne is the traditional name in Britain and much of Europe; alfalfa is more common elsewhere. Why is Medicago sativa good for soil?
Its very deep taproot breaks up compacted ground and draws up nutrients, while root-nodule bacteria fix nitrogen from the air to enrich the soil. What family does alfalfa belong to?
It's a legume, in the pea family (Fabaceae), which is why it carries pea-like purple flowers and fixes nitrogen at its roots. Can the same seed be sprouted and sown outdoors?
Yes — the fine seed sprouts indoors for salad shoots in days, and the same seed sown outdoors makes a productive green manure or forage crop.