White Clover.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

Height: 15-20 cm; Spread: spreads indefinitely via stolons

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 10

Bloom time

Late spring through summer

Care

White clover thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. It's quite drought-tolerant once established but does best with consistent moisture. You can mow it like a lawn; it will recover quickly from light foot traffic.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry; it's drought-tolerant but appreciates consistent moisture.

Feeding

Generally not needed due to nitrogen fixation; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Pruning

Mow regularly to maintain a neat appearance and encourage denser growth, similar to lawn care.

Repotting

Rarely needs repotting as it readily self-seeds and spreads; typically managed as ground cover or lawn component.

Soil

Adaptable to most soil types, prefers well-drained

Soil pH

5.5-7.5

Temperature

-34.4 to 32.2°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

Generally considered non-toxic to humans, though large quantities could potentially cause digestive upset.

Pets

Non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Children

No specific safety concerns for children, beyond general caution with any plant.

Edibility

While the flowers and leaves are generally considered safe for consumption in small amounts, it's always best to be absolutely sure of your identification before eating any wild plant.

How to identify it

• Three leaflets per leaf
• Oval-shaped leaflets
• Small white to pinkish flower heads
• Creeping, spreading growth habit
• Nitrogen-fixing root nodules

Height

0.15 to 0.2m

Spread

0.3 to 9.99m

Leaves

Green, evergreen

Flowers

White, Pinkish-white, 1 to 2.5cm

Common problems

• Fungal diseases — Can be susceptible to various fungal diseases like powdery mildew and rust, especially in damp conditions.
• Aphids — These small insects can feed on the plant's sap, weakening it and potentially spreading disease.
• Nematodes — Microscopic roundworms that can damage the roots, leading to stunted growth.
• Poor drainage — Can lead to root rot and other issues if the soil stays waterlogged.

Growing it

Propagation

Seed, Stolons

When to plant

Spring, Fall

White clover is a fantastic addition to many garden guilds, especially in vegetable beds where it fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds.

Grows well with

• Grasses — Grasses provide a good ground cover that white clover can weave through, creating a robust and beneficial lawn or pasture mix.
• Dandelions — Dandelions share similar habitat needs and their deep taproots can help break up soil, benefiting the shallower roots of clover.
• Chicory — Chicory is a deep-rooted plant that complements clover's shallow root system, and both can attract beneficial insects.

Keep away from

• Alfalfa — Alfalfa can sometimes outcompete white clover for resources due to its vigorous growth and deeper root system in certain conditions.
• Dense shade — While clover can tolerate some shade, overly dense shade will significantly reduce its growth and flowering, making it less vigorous.

Similar species

• Strawberry Clover — Strawberry clover also has a creeping habit and forms dense ground cover but typically tolerates wetter and saltier soils than white clover.
• Alsike Clover — Alsike clover is a non-creeping species that prefers moist soils and is often grown for forage, but it lacks the spreading habit of white clover.
• Red Clover — Red clover is a taller, non-creeping clover also used for forage, easily distinguished by its larger flower heads and distinct leaf markings.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Trifolium

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and Mediterranean region

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, disturbed areas, meadows, and lawns, often forming dense ground cover and improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, pollen source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

ground cover, forage, green manure, ornamental

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is white clover invasive?

In some regions, it can be considered invasive, especially in natural habitats where it can outcompete native plants.

Can I eat white clover?

Yes, the leaves and flowers are edible in small quantities, often used in salads or teas.

Does white clover attract bees?

Absolutely, it's a favorite of many bee species, providing them with nectar and pollen.

How do I get rid of clover in my lawn?

You can manually remove it, use selective herbicides, or simply embrace it as a beneficial lawn component.

Why is my clover turning brown?

This could be due to drought stress, disease, or simply the end of its growing season in cooler climates.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Trifolium' comes from Latin, meaning 'three leaves', referring to the characteristic three leaflets. 'Repens' is Latin for 'creeping', describing its growth habit.

Good to know

• A four-leaf clover is a rare mutation of white clover.
• It's often found in lawns and pastures.
• White clover is used in some herbal teas.
• The plant has a shallow, fibrous root system.