Water Medick: A Mediterranean Annual for Coastal Gardens
Meet water medick (Medicago littoralis), a humble little annual that might not win any beauty contests but has some interesting qualities worth knowing about. Also called strand medic, this unassuming member of the legume family has quietly made itself at home in a few corners of North America, though you’re most likely to encounter it if you’re gardening near the coast.
What Exactly is Water Medick?
Water medick is an annual forb—basically a soft-stemmed plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Unlike woody shrubs or trees, it stays low to the ground with a prostrate, sprawling growth habit that makes it look a bit like a living carpet. The plant produces small, bright yellow flowers that are typical of the legume family, though they’re quite modest in size and won’t exactly stop traffic.
This Mediterranean native has found its way to New Jersey, where it grows wild and reproduces on its own without any human help. While it’s not originally from North America, it’s also not currently listed as invasive or problematic.
The Good, The Bad, and The Neutral
So should you plant water medick in your garden? Well, that’s where things get interesting. On the plus side, like many legumes, water medick has the superpower of fixing nitrogen in the soil—basically, it partners with beneficial bacteria to pull nitrogen from the air and make it available to other plants. That’s pretty cool!
The flowers, while small, do provide some nectar for tiny pollinators and beneficial insects. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance groundcover for sandy, coastal conditions, water medick might fit the bill.
However, since it’s not native to North America, you might want to consider some native alternatives first. Native plants are typically better for local wildlife and ecosystems, and there are plenty of beautiful native groundcovers and nitrogen-fixers to choose from.
Growing Water Medick Successfully
If you do decide to give water medick a try, here’s what you need to know:
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Soil: Sandy, well-draining soil (it loves coastal conditions)
- Sun: Full sun exposure
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, doesn’t like soggy conditions
- Climate: Best suited for USDA zones 7-10
Planting and Care Tips
- Direct seed in spring after the last frost
- Barely cover seeds with soil—they need light to germinate
- Water gently until established, then let nature take over
- No fertilizer needed (remember, it makes its own nitrogen!)
- Expect self-seeding for next year’s plants
Design Role in Your Garden
Water medick works best in naturalized areas, coastal gardens, or spots where you want low-maintenance groundcover. It’s not going to be the star of your flower border, but it can fill in gaps and provide that nitrogen-fixing benefit to neighboring plants. Think of it as more of a supporting actor than a leading role.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Before you settle on water medick, consider these native options that might serve similar purposes in your garden:
- Wild lupines for nitrogen-fixing and more showy flowers
- Native clovers and vetches for groundcover
- Beach pea for coastal conditions
- Wild bergamot for pollinator benefits
The Bottom Line
Water medick is neither hero nor villain—it’s just a modest little plant doing its thing in coastal areas. While it won’t harm your garden ecosystem, native plants will generally provide more benefits for local wildlife. If you’re drawn to its low-maintenance nature and nitrogen-fixing abilities, go for it, but also consider mixing in some native alternatives for the best of both worlds.
Remember, the best garden is one that makes you happy while supporting the local environment. Whether that includes water medick or not is entirely up to you!
