Red clover.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

0.6 meters

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to help it thrive. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers steady hydration. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back faded flowers to promote new growth and keep the plant tidy.

Repotting

Repot if the plant becomes root bound or needs fresh soil to support its growth.

Soil

Loamy, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Safety

People

It is generally considered safe but contains coumarin, which can interfere with blood clotting in large amounts.

Children

The small flower heads could pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by very young children.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive people during the peak bloom.

Edibility

Consult a professional before consuming wild clover to ensure proper identification and avoid areas treated with chemicals.

How to identify it

• Three leaflets with white V mark
• Rounded pink to purple flower heads
• Hairy stems and leaves
• Stipules at base of leaves

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.3 to 0.5m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, purple, 1 to 3cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer

Common problems

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves during humid weather.
• Clover root curculio — Small beetles that feed on the roots and foliage.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant red clover near heavy feeders like brassicas to naturally boost soil nitrogen levels.

Grows well with

• Timothy grass — They grow well together in meadows and provide balanced forage.
• Common yarrow — Yarrow attracts beneficial insects that help manage clover pests.

Similar species

• White clover — It is a smaller, creeping relative often found in similar habitats.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Trifolium

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, Western Asia, and Northwest Africa.

Conservation

This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open meadows and disturbed soils by fixing atmospheric nitrogen to support its growth.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant, nitrogen fixer

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

cover crop, pollinator garden, medicinal tea, soil improvement

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is red clover good for my lawn?

Yes, it adds nitrogen to the soil and stays green during dry spells.

How do I stop it from spreading?

Regular mowing before the plant sets seed will effectively limit its spread.

Where the name comes from

Trifolium comes from the Latin for three leaves, while pratense means of the meadow.

Good to know

• Red clover is the national flower of Denmark.
• It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
• The leaves are often marked with a distinct white V shape.