1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Trifolium repens, white clover, is a low creeping perennial from Europe, naturalised worldwide. Branching stems creep along the ground and root as they go, carrying the familiar three-parted leaves often marked with a pale chevron, and rounded heads of small white to pink-tinged flowers open from spring through summer.
It fixes its own nitrogen from the air, which is why a clover lawn stays green through drought while the grass around it browns and needs feeding. It also takes foot traffic, tolerates poor soil and feeds bees for months. The one real caution is that a flowering lawn is full of bees, so mow before barefoot use.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Groundcover
Height
4 inches
Width
12 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Water
Low to moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Europe
Toxicity
Non-toxic; flowers and leaves are edible
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Sow into existing lawn or bare soil in spring or autumn.
- Choose full sun to partial shade.
- Rake seed into the surface; do not bury it.
- Skip nitrogen feed — it makes its own.
- Mow before barefoot use if bees are a concern.
- Let it flower where pollinators matter more.
Pro Tip
Never feed a clover lawn with nitrogen — it fixes its own, and the feed just gives the competing grass the advantage.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Oversow it into a thin lawn 🌱
- Let it fix its own nitrogen 🔄
- Leave it flowering for bees 🐝
- Use it on poor or eroding soil ⛰️
Don't
- Apply nitrogen fertiliser ❌
- Use broadleaf weedkiller on the lawn ❌
- Let children run barefoot through the flowers ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
White Clover questions
What zones can White Clover grow in?
White Clover is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is White Clover deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse White Clover, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does White Clover bloom?
White Clover typically blooms in spring to summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does White Clover need full sun?
White Clover does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Trifolium to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Grow White Clover with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.