White Clover Care
Trifolium repens
A popular alternative to lawn grass; it needs less water, does not need fertilizer because it produces its own nitrogen, and needs less mowing. Its flowers are very beneficial for bees and other pollinators. Broadleaf weed killers kill clover.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; the plant is dormant and winter rains are sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand. Do not use broadleaf herbicides.
- Frost risk: Frost hardy; it usually stays green through winter.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: When the soil begins to warm, preparations can be made for new sowing or overseeding.
- Watering: If new sowing has been done, keep the soil moist. For established areas, rainfall is generally sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: if necessary, mow at a high setting of 7-10 cm to control weeds.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: One of the best times to establish a new clover area or fill the gaps in the existing area (overseeding).
- Watering: During dry periods, water once a week (15-20 L/m²).
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: optional. To encourage flowering you may skip mowing, or for a tidier look you can mow high once a month.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: Flowering begins and bee activity increases.
- Pests & diseases: Fungal diseases can rarely occur in hot, humid weather.
- Watering: As the summer heat begins, regular watering keeps it green. Water deeply once a week.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: after the flowers fade, you can mow high to tidy the area and encourage new flowering.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: This is the most active growth period.
- Watering: Continue regular watering in hot and dry weather. It stays green with less water than a lawn.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: can be continued if desired.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: Growth may slow down in extreme temperatures.
- Watering: Continue regular watering during the hottest month.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: optional.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: During extreme heat and drought, the plant may enter dormancy, but it usually revives with autumn rains.
- Watering: Continue regular watering while the summer heat continues.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: optional.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: The second ideal period for establishing a new clover area or overseeding.
- Watering: Since the weather is still hot and dry, continue watering deeply once a week. Reduce if it rains.
- Fertilizing: Absolutely do not fertilize. Mowing: optional. You can mow high to tidy the area and encourage autumn growth.
- Plant protection: Do not use broadleaf herbicides. Remove weeds by hand.
- General care: The best time for new sowing and overseeding. Seeds sown while the soil is warm germinate quickly with the autumn rains.
- Watering: As the weather cools and rainfall begins, reduce watering and stop at the end of the month.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: Observe the development of the newly sown areas.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: Clover goes into winter rest. Last chance for planting new seedlings.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- Plant protection: Clear weeds by hand.
- General care: The plant is fully dormant or grows very slowly.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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