Several species of clover and clover-like plants (trefoils and medicks) are low-growing and commonly found in lawns. At a glance, their leaves look similar but it is possible to tell them apart, especially when in flower. The descriptions and images below will help you identify some common species:
White clover (Trifolium repens) is a creeping perennial able to produce roots at growing points along its stems. It can grow to a height of 45cm (18in) but is often much shorter in lawns. Leaves are usually trifoliate (having three leaflets) but may have four leaflets â if you're lucky! Leaflets have rounded tips, often with a white mark. The flowers are creamy-white, sometimes with a hint of pale pink, and appear from May to October.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a perennial that can grow 60cm (2ft) tall. It is not common in closely mown lawns but grows well in long grass and meadows. The leaves are trifoliate and leaflets are oval with a distinctive, pale V-shaped mark. The pinkish-red flowers appear from May to October and are great for pollinators, making it a good choice for a wildlflower meadow.
Lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium) is a low growing annual, able to reach 25cm (10in) in height but is usually shorter. In lawns itforms a flattened, roughly circular mat of thin, wiry stems. Trifoliate leaves have oval leaflets. The compact flowers are yellow and appear from May to October.
Hareâs foot clover (Trifolium arvense) is a low growing annual, usually shorter than 25cm (10in) when growing in lawns. Its stems and trifoliate leaves, with narrow leaflets, are covered in soft hairs. The pale pink flowers, produced from June to September, are also covered in silky white hairs, giving the whole plant a soft, fluffy appearance.
Birdâs foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a perennial with a sprawling habit up to 20cm (8in) in height. Leaves consist of five leaflets, with one pair of leaflets near the base of the leaf stalk and the other three at the tip. Reddish buds open to yellow flowers from May to October. Its long, thin seedpods are quite distinctive.
Black medick (Medicago lupulina) is a low-growing annual or short-lived perennial, reaching about 20cm (8in) in height with stems forming a low mat in lawns. Its leaves are trifoliate, with a tiny point at the tip of each leaflet. Rounded, yellow flowerheads from April to October are followed by black seedpods.
Slender trefoil (Trifolium micranthum) is a low growing annual, similar to lesser trefoil but smaller in stature, generally growing to less than 10cm (4in) in height. The trifoliate leaves have short stalks. Small yellow flowers appear during summer.
FAQs
Rake before mowing – rake over areas containing clovers, trefoils and medicks to lift the stems before mowing. This helps mowers remove more growth, weakening individual plants and preventing self-seeding. Make sure to rake up and remove clippings containing clover to stop plants shedding seed or re-rooting.
Should I let clover grow in my lawn? ›
Growing clover does not allow room for typical lawn weeds to thrive, meaning the lawns you mow could be weed-free and beautiful! Those are just a few ways that clover can benefit lawn grass. Not only is the use of clover organic, inexpensive, and easy, it's also very effective.
What are the downsides of clover grass? ›
Some potential downsides of a clover lawn include its tendency to attract bees (which may be an issue for those with allergies or concerns about pets and children), its invasive growth pattern, and its potentially uneven appearance compared to a traditional grass lawn.
How do I kill clover in my lawn but not grass? ›
Use Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal, a byproduct of the corn milling process, can be a natural pre-emergent herbicide when applied to your lawn. It releases organic peptides into the soil, which can dry out clover seeds, inhibiting their germination.
What does clover in the lawn indicate? ›
Clover in your lawn indicates your soil is suffering from poor nitrogen levels. It's likely that your grass has been slowly dying out and making way for the obtrusive weed. Unlike grass, clover carries a bacteria that helps it gather nitrogen from the air, allowing it to flourish even where grass can't.
Will grass choke out clover? ›
A lush lawn will outcompete most weeds, including clover. Having a healthy lawn also means that your lawn has no issues.
Can I throw clover seed over grass? ›
One of the best things about growing clover? You CAN plant it over your existing lawn! Another way to grow a Clover lawn is to simply overseed, or add seed to, your existing lawn.
Will clover choke out dandelions? ›
3. Clovers Reduce Weeds. It turns out clover does some of the “weeding” for you, too. As a dense ground cover plant, clovers — though they are also broad-leaved — are exceptional at crowding out other broadleaf plants such as dandelions, violets, and other plants that commonly populate lawns.
Why are people replacing grass with clover? ›
Clover requires less mowing: Clover doesn't grow very tall, which means less frequent mowing during the warm-weather months. Clover attracts beneficial insects: The bee population is threatened around the world, and without bees, many other parts of the food chain could be disrupted.
Do clover lawns attract ticks? ›
Clover lawns will also provide safe haven and shelter to unwanted and disease-carrying pests, like ticks, snakes, and rodents, making your property less usable for playful kids and pets.
White clover is well-suited for lawns due to its low-growth habit and ability to thrive in a variety of soil types. It's also a nitrogen-fixing plant, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and reducing the need for additional fertilizers.
Will vinegar kill clover in grass? ›
Simply pour small amounts of white vinegar onto the leaves and stems of the clover, then wash it away with water. Make sure you spot treat any area that's affected by clover before it spreads any further. White vinegar can be an effective way to get rid of clover in lawns without damaging the grass itself.
Why is clover so hard to get rid of? ›
Compacted soil: Clover's thick root system lets it grow in tightly compacted soil that grass cannot root in. Lack of nitrogen in the soil: Clover thrives in nitrogen-poor dirt. Over-fertilization in one area: In this case, clover may thrive in one area while grass grows in another.
What is the superstition about the clover? ›
According to the legend, the leaves of a four-leaf clover represent hope, faith, love, and a fourth for good luck. A common belief during the Middle Ages was if someone carried a four-leaf clover, they would have the ability to see fairies.
When should I put clover on my lawn? ›
To mix clover with existing grass, reseed your lawn in the fall with clover seed instead of grass seed. "It will add nitrogen to the soil and feed the grass, eliminating the need for fertilizer," she says.
Why does clover keep growing in my yard? ›
Clover thrives off of nitrogen.
Because clover doesn't need nitrogen from the soil it's growing in, it tends to grow in lawns that don't have a lot of nitrogen. Clover doesn't require any sort of fertilizer to grow. Similar to other legumes, clover takes nitrogen from the air and thrives off of it.
Is a clover lawn better for the environment? ›
It is helpful that clover lawns absorb nitrogen because excess nitrogen in the atmosphere can produce pollutants such as ammonia and ozone, which can impair our ability to breathe, limit visibility, and have a negative effect on plant growth.
Does clover use more water than grass? ›
Because of clover's deep roots, it needs much less water than does grass. As the Farmer's Almanac notes, "Clover is an extremely drought-resistant plant and will keep its cool-green color even during the hottest and driest parts of summer."
Is clover better than grass for dogs? ›
Planting clover is the perfect solution for patchy yards because it's dog-safe, super durable, and also beautiful to look at. “Clover is likely going to be the best lawn alternative if you have dogs,” TikTok user Livekindly (@livekindly) said in a recent video.
