Bitter Vetch
Vicia erviliafam. Fabaceae
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Pl. AED2 — Vicia ervilia
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IOverview
Overview
Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) is an annual vine or herb belonging to the Fabaceae family and can be found in a wide range of habitats across Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Native to Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Iran, and other regions, this plant thrives in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 7 and 7.5. Known for its edible seeds, Bitter Vetch is also recognized for its ornamental value due to its distinctive vine-like growth habit. Its preference for moist conditions makes it adaptable to various environments within its native range.
Quick answers
What is Bitter Vetch?
Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) is an annual vine or herb belonging to the Fabaceae family and can be found in a wide range of habitats across Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Bitter Vetch thrives in light to medium and heavy soils, preferring a pH of 7-7.5. It requires moist conditions but is not overly fussy about water, making it adaptable to various environments. The plant prefers partial shade to full sun and grows as an annual vine or herb up to 0.6 meters tall. For propagation, seeds can be sown directly in the garden after the last frost. This legume is hardy in temperate regions and is native to several countries across Europe and Asia. Harvest the edible seed for use in cooking.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Vine, Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Bitter Vetch for the first time
8steps
Start with Bitter Vetch as a simple annual plant, focusing on basic care and harvesting.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds of Bitter Vetch, a container or garden bed, and some compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when soil temperatures are warm.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Prepare soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) with a pH of 7–7.5. Ensure good drainage for containers.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep and 20-30 cm apart in rows. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 4 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during germination. Thin seedlings to about 30 cm apart once they have several leaves.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially in dry periods, and provide support for climbing vines if needed. Fertilize lightly with compost every few weeks.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth. Harvest seeds when they are fully ripe and dry.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting support for climbing vines, and not providing enough drainage.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: The seeds of Bitter Vetch are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often prepared by boiling to make them more palatable due to their bitter taste. Skip the step on drying as it is not commonly used for consumption.
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
22 native · 8 introduced
Distribution
22 native · 8 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 22 native· 8 introduced
Europe11 regions
native (7)AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusFranceItalyPortugalRussia
introduced (4)AustriaBelarusSwitzerlandUkraine
Asia8 regions
native (7)AfghanistanIranIraqKazakhstanTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistan
introduced (1)Palestine
Africa4 regions
native (1)Egypt
introduced (3)AlgeriaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Kirgizstan, East Aegean Is., Lebanon-Syria, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Fabaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Fabaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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