Zigzag Clover
Trifolium medium
Also listed as Lagopus flexuosus, Trifolium aucheri
Climate Match for your location
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A native clover with distinctive zigzag stems and pale pink to purple flowers that attract pollinators. Hardy and low-maintenance, suitable for meadows, pastures, and naturalized areas.
Why grow it
Trifolium medium offers a nitrogen-fixing alternative to white clover (T. repens) in meadow mixes, with better performance in drier soils and less aggressive spreading. Its deeper taproot makes it more drought-tolerant once established compared to shallow-rooted white clover, though it germinates more slowly. The zigzag stem habit and pale pink flowers provide visual distinction in mixed pastures while supporting similar pollinator populations.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow relative to white clover, requiring adequate moisture during the first growing season. In very wet or compacted soils, seedling vigor may be reduced, so site preparation and drainage matter more than with white clover varieties.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native clover with distinctive zigzag stems and pale pink to purple flowers that attract pollinators. Hardy and low-maintenance, suitable for meadows, pastures, and naturalized areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Zigzag Clover grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Trifolium medium offers a nitrogen-fixing alternative to white clover (T. repens) in meadow mixes, with better performance in drier soils and less aggressive spreading. Its deeper taproot makes it more drought-tolerant once established compared to shallow-rooted white clover, though it germinates more slowly. The zigzag stem habit and pale pink flowers provide visual distinction in mixed pastures while supporting similar pollinator populations.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow relative to white clover, requiring adequate moisture during the first growing season. In very wet or compacted soils, seedling vigor may be reduced, so site preparation and drainage matter more than with white clover varieties.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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