White Clover
Trifolium repens
Also listed as Amoria repens
Also known as Dutch Clover, White Dutch Clover, Creeping White Clover
Climate Match for your location
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White clover is a low-growing legume groundcover with distinctive white flower clusters and three-leafed foliage. It spreads vigorously, fixes nitrogen in soil, and is commonly found in lawns and pastures.
Why grow it
White clover establishes more quickly than many other nitrogen-fixing legume groundcovers and tolerates closer mowing than vetch or alfalfa, making it useful for filling gaps in pastures or as a living mulch between wider-spaced crops. Its shallow root system means it competes less intensely with established perennials than deeper-rooted legumes, while still contributing meaningful nitrogen to soil. It performs across a wider range of soil pH values (4.3 to 8.0) than some legume alternatives, though it does prefer adequate moisture.
Watch out for
White clover performs best in well-drained soils and may struggle in heavily compacted or waterlogged conditions. In lawn settings, it can compete with desired grass species if not managed intentionally, requiring periodic mowing or selective removal if you wish to maintain a pure grass stand. Clover also attracts pollinators and some pest insects, so consider nearby plantings when integrating it into garden systems.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
White clover is a low-growing legume groundcover with distinctive white flower clusters and three-leafed foliage. It spreads vigorously, fixes nitrogen in soil, and is commonly found in lawns and pastures.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Clover grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White clover establishes more quickly than many other nitrogen-fixing legume groundcovers and tolerates closer mowing than vetch or alfalfa, making it useful for filling gaps in pastures or as a living mulch between wider-spaced crops. Its shallow root system means it competes less intensely with established perennials than deeper-rooted legumes, while still contributing meaningful nitrogen to soil. It performs across a wider range of soil pH values (4.3 to 8.0) than some legume alternatives, though it does prefer adequate moisture.
Watch out for
White clover performs best in well-drained soils and may struggle in heavily compacted or waterlogged conditions. In lawn settings, it can compete with desired grass species if not managed intentionally, requiring periodic mowing or selective removal if you wish to maintain a pure grass stand. Clover also attracts pollinators and some pest insects, so consider nearby plantings when integrating it into garden systems.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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