Derris is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 13 through 13. Its spring flowers are a modest draw for honeybees. It roots deep, which helps it reach moisture in a dry spell and open up tight soil as it establishes.
Zones
13-13
pH Range
4.3-8.6
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Derris on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether derris actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score derris against your land's real conditions.
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What Derris is
It blooms in spring.
How to grow Derris
Derris grows in USDA zones 13 through 13. Derris does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.3 to 8.6, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 270 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
13-13
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.3 - 8.6
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
68°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
270+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant derris in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Derris prefers pH 4.3 to 8.6 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune derris to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — derris is toxic to dogs and cats (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Derris offers low value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Derris thrives
Derris is hardy across USDA zones 13 through 13. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zone 13
Where Derris grows. USDA's published 2023 PHZM polygons cover the continental US (zones 3a-12a); zones outside that range aren't in the federal map dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Derris can grow in these states:
See if Derris will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether derris actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Derris in my zone?
Derris grows in USDA hardiness zones 13 through 13 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Derris?
Most growers plant derris after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 270-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Derris need?
Derris needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Derris need?
Derris prefers soil pH 4.3 to 8.6, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Derris attract pollinators?
Yes — derris's flowers are a modest nectar source for honeybees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Derris safe for pets?
Derris is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.