Does it need fertilizer?

No, it fixes its own nitrogen from the air.

It spreads aggressively by runners but is rarely considered invasive in its native range.

Plant guide

Clover.

Trifolium repens

Pronounced try-FOH-lee-um REE-penz

Also known as Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover, New Zealand Clover

White clover is a low growing perennial that spreads through creeping stems. It is a popular ground cover that fixes nitrogen in the soil. You will often see it in lawns and meadows.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 15 to 30 cm
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage lush growth. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers regular hydration. It thrives best when allowed to spread freely in open areas.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Usually does not require fertilizer as it fixes its own nitrogen.
Pruning: Mow or trim back if you want to keep the growth tidy.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root bound in a container.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Growth slows significantly during the growing season.
The soil dries out much faster than usual.

Safety

People: It is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though it is best to ensure plants are free of pesticides.
Contact allergens: Contact with the foliage is unlikely to cause irritation.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a minor trigger for those with seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While the leaves and flowers are edible, they should be consumed in moderation to avoid potential digestive upset.

How to identify it

Three leaflets with white crescent markings
Creeping stems that root at nodes
Globular clusters of small white flowers
Low growing habit in dense mats

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, late summer

Problems to watch for

Clover Root CurculioCommon
RustCommon
Sclerotinia RotCommon
AphidsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant dies back to the roots in cold climates and regrows from the crown in spring.
In containers: It grows well in containers as a filler or ground cover, requiring at least a 6 inch deep pot.

Seed Sowing

Scatter seeds over prepared soil in spring.
Lightly rake the soil to cover seeds.
Keep the area consistently moist until germination.

Division

Dig up a clump of established clover.
Separate the rooted stolons into smaller sections.
Replant the sections in a new location and water well.

Plant this near heavy feeders like brassicas to help boost soil nitrogen levels.

Grows well with

Kentucky Bluegrass — They grow well together in lawns with the clover providing nitrogen.
Apple — It acts as a living mulch under fruit trees.

Similar species

Red Clover — It is a larger, upright relative with pink flowers.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Trifolium
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
Conservation: It is a common, widespread species and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open meadows where it outcompetes other plants by creeping along the ground.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nitrogen fixation
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, green manure, pollinator forage, lawn alternative

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need fertilizer?: No, it fixes its own nitrogen from the air.
Is it invasive?: It spreads aggressively by runners but is rarely considered invasive in its native range.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Trifolium refers to the three leaflets, while the species name repens means creeping.

Good to know

It is the traditional source of the four leaf clover.
It is widely used as a companion plant in organic gardening.
The plant can survive being mowed quite short.

Keep your clover growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.