Plant Details

Coronilla varia

Crown Vetch

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, harvest period and uses of Coronilla varia.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Crown Vetch
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Bont kroonkruid
French
  • Coronille bigarrée
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Coronilla varia
Accepted name (Kew): Coronilla varia L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Coronilla (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Crown Vetch

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Growth habit: Ascending, Creeping, Dense, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
-
Edibility rating:
(0)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer

Description

Can be used as an insecticide, although no further details are provided. A good ground cover and soil stabilizer for sunny slopes and banks. It grows vigorously and should not be cultivated with plants that are less than 1.8 meters tall.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/06
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1358232; name ID 2737916; Coronilla L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1358317; name ID 2738047; Coronilla varia L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Coronilla varia

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2031634, ID 6B4B7: Coronilla varia L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Coronilla varia — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Relevant sections
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .