How far apart should I plant Leadplant?

About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).

Does Leadplant need full sun?

Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Leadplant need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Leadplant?

It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.

When does Leadplant flower?

From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Leadplant poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.

What grows well with Leadplant?

"Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Leadplant Amorpha canescens

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Fabaceae family, native to Prairies and savannas of central North America. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.

Plan Leadplant in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Leadplant at a glance

Type	Perennial shrub, deciduous
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft)
Mature spread	60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft)
Spacing	80 cm (31 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6–8
Cold hardiness	About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3)
Heat stress	Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F)
Flowering	from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Moderate
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Prairies and savannas of central North America
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada

Is Leadplant toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not poisonous.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Leadplant

Good neighbours

good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C

Keep apart or take care

caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C

Questions about Leadplant

How far apart should I plant Leadplant?: About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
Does Leadplant need full sun?: Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Leadplant need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Leadplant?: It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
When does Leadplant flower?: From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Leadplant poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
What grows well with Leadplant?: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).

Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info

Notes and assumptions

A tallgrass prairie plant: deep roots make it drought-proof once established; it wants sun and lean soil (rich soil makes it flop). Leave the stems standing in winter for seed-eating birds and overwintering insects.
A small, silvery-grey shrub with feathery leaves and spikes of tiny violet flowers with orange anthers in early summer. Its roots reach several metres deep; prairie fires burn it back and it resprouts. Settlers thought it marked lead deposits.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Garden pea Pisum sativum
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis