Does your lawn look a little… plain? Many homeowners dream of a lush, green yard that stays healthy without tons of work. Clover is a fantastic way to boost your lawn’s health. It naturally adds nitrogen to the soil, making grass grow stronger. But here’s the tricky part: not all clover is the same!
Choosing the right type of clover for your yard can feel like a guessing game. Do you need microclover for tiny spaces, or maybe a creeping variety that spreads easily? Picking the wrong one might mean patchy growth or dealing with weeds instead of beautiful coverage. It’s frustrating when you put in the effort, but the results just aren’t there.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the most popular and effective clover types for lawns. You will learn exactly which clover fits your climate and your goals. Get ready to discover the secret to a greener, more resilient lawn.
Top Type Of Clover For Lawns Recommendations
- O.M. Scott & Sons Clover Seed is crafted with premium strawberry clover which grows a naturally low-maintenance green space
- Strawberry clover stays greener longer during drought, and feeds itself by naturally converting nitrogen from the air into fertilizer, so you can spend less time on yard work and more time on yard play
- This clover lawn seed contains no added artificial or pest control ingredients, and it’s safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed)
- Apply in the spring or fall when the daily average temperature is consistently between 60°F and 75°F for two weeks; one 2 lb. bag covers 1,000 sq. ft.
- O.M. Scott & Sons products are packaged in a recyclable paper bag - apply the product to your yard then toss the bag in your curbside recycling bin where available
- PREMIUM QUALITY CLOVER SEED: This high-quality white clover seed is perfect for erosion control, creating a lush lawn alternative, and enriching pasture mixtures. Ideal for covering large areas, it serves multiple purposes including use in deer food plots, green manure crops, and ground cover, making it the most suitable white dutch clover seeds for lawn, garden and backyard.
- ADVANCED NITROCOATED & INOCULATED SEEDS - Specially treated to ensure superior germination rates and enhance soil health, these ground cover seeds promote robust plant growth. They naturally boost soil nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, making them a great clover seed choice for any agricultural application.
- ADAPTABLE TO USDA ZONES 3-10 - Thriving in a wide range of climates, from full sun to partial shade, this white clover seed for lawns is suitable for various regions across the country. Whether you're in the north or south, this resilient clover ensures lush growth and reliable coverage, making it an excellent cover crop seed mix for drought resistant grass seed, red creeping thyme live plants & irish moss seeds.
- EASY & EFFECTIVE SEEDING: Simply disperse the white flower seeds on prepared soil, lightly rake them in, and keep them continually moist. Expect quick germination within 14 days at temperatures between 65-70F. With a seeding rate of 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet or 8 to 10 lbs per acre, it’s ideal for large areas and bulk planting.
- OPTIMAL GROWTH & AESTHETIC APPEAL - Growing to a manageable height of 8-12 inches, this perennial clover seeds feature beautiful white blooms that enhance your landscape. It is a great choice for use as a flowering ground cover and a lawn patch alternative.
- WEED AND FEED FOR LAWNS: Apply this combination weed killer for grass and lawn food to your wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; don't apply more than 2X per year
- WEED KILLER PLUS LAWN FOOD: Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5 weed killer plus fertilizer for grass is a clover and dandelion killer for lawns that also feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- DO NOT USE ON: Do not use this grass fertilizer for lawns plus yard weed killer on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), Dichondra, Lippia, Carpetgrass, and Bentgrass lawns
- USE ON LISTED GRASS TYPES: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- WEED CONTROL FOR LAWNS: These Scotts weed killer plus lawn fertilizer granules control over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- PREMIUM QUALITY CLOVER SEED: This high-quality white clover seed is perfect for erosion control, creating a lush lawn alternative, and enriching pasture mixtures. Ideal for covering large areas, it serves multiple purposes including use in deer food plots, green manure crops, and ground cover, making it the most suitable white dutch clover seeds for lawn, garden and backyard.
- ADVANCED NITROCOATED & INOCULATED SEEDS - Specially treated to ensure superior germination rates and enhance soil health, these ground cover seeds promote robust plant growth. They naturally boost soil nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, making them a great clover seed choice for any agricultural application.
- ADAPTABLE TO USDA ZONES 3-10 - Thriving in a wide range of climates, from full sun to partial shade, this white clover seed for lawns is suitable for various regions across the country. Whether you're in the north or south, this resilient clover ensures lush growth and reliable coverage, making it an excellent cover crop seed mix for drought resistant grass seed, red creeping thyme live plants & irish moss seeds.
- EASY & EFFECTIVE SEEDING: Simply disperse the white flower seeds on prepared soil, lightly rake them in, and keep them continually moist. Expect quick germination within 14 days at temperatures between 65-70F. With a seeding rate of 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet or 8 to 10 lbs per acre, it’s ideal for large areas and bulk planting.
- OPTIMAL GROWTH & AESTHETIC APPEAL - Growing to a manageable height of 8-12 inches, this perennial clover seeds feature beautiful white blooms that enhance your landscape. It is a great choice for use as a flowering ground cover and a lawn patch alternative.
- KILLS WEEDS – NOT THE LAWN: When used as directed
- VISIBLE RESULTS IN 5 HOURS: Conquer unruly weeds and see visible results in as fast as 5 hours
- KILLS 470+ WEED TYPES AS LISTED: Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds including dandelion, chickweed and clover as well as crabgrass and yellow nutsedge – see product label for complete list of weed types
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds by contact down to the root
- READY-TO-USE FORMULA: No mixing required
- KILLS WEEDS – NOT THE LAWN: When used as directed
- VISIBLE RESULTS IN HOURS: Conquer unruly weeds and see visible results in hours
- KILLS 460+ WEED TYPES AS LISTED: Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds, including dandelion, chickweed and clover, as well as yellow nutsedge
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds by contact down to the root
- READY TO USE: No mixing required
- 🌱 Mini Clover Seeds – Non-GMO & Heirloom – Trifolium repens, a dwarf white clover with tiny leaves (1/3 to 1/2 the size of traditional clover). A low-growing, low-maintenance lawn alternative or cover crop. Perennial in Zones 3-10, annual elsewhere.
- 💧 Drought-Tolerant & Self-Sustaining – Requires less water than grass and stays lush and green year-round. Naturally fertilizes soil by fixing nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- 🍃 No-Mow, Low-Growing Lawn Alternative – Grows only 4-6 inches tall, about half the height of traditional white clover. Ideal for eco-friendly, no-mow lawns, patch repair, and bee-friendly landscapes.
- 🛠️ Easy to Grow & Versatile – Sow 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. for a full clover lawn, or half for mixed seeding. Thrives in varied soil types, sun or shade, and is perfect for erosion control, pastures, and ground cover.
- 🏡 Grown & Packaged in the USA – From Mountain Valley Seed Company, trusted since 1974 for high-quality heirloom seeds. Each ounce contains ~25,000 seeds, ensuring dense, uniform coverage for a healthier, greener lawn.
- IDEAL LAWN ALTERNATIVE OR MIX-IN: Our miniclover seed is a trifolium repens that serves as a perfect alternative to traditional lawns or can be seamlessly blend with your existing grass. This variety of dwarf clover is a perennial, white clover which provides a lush and green landscape that reduces the need for frequent reseeding and intensive lawn care, ensuring a consistently dense and healthy yard.
- NITROGEN-FIXING ABILITY: Our mini clover seeds for lawn has the unique ability to pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for plants, naturally fertilizing your lawn and promoting healthier, greener grass. The dense growth habit of our mini clover seed also helps prevent unwanted plants, keeping your lawn pristine.
- DROUGHT-TOLERANT & LOW-MAINTENANCE: You only need to add 2-5% of our microclover seed to your grass seed mixture to see significant improvements in lawn quality, making it a highly cost-effective solution. It is exceptionally low maintenance wear, and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for busy homeowners who want a beautiful lawn without the hassle of extensive upkeep.
- SMALL-LEAVED & LOW MOWING TOLERANCE: Our small-leaved, white clover seed features a very small leaf and only grows half as tall as white dutch clover (4-6 inches). It also produces stolons allowing it to spread evenly over the ground. It is highly tolerant to low mowing heights, so you can easily mow it down to achieve a neat and manicured look without damaging the live plants.
- SEASONAL FLOWERING: Outsidepride MiniClover will produce charming white flowers for about one month during the summer if it is not mowed, adding a touch of seasonal beauty and visual interest to your lawn. Each flower may attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. Our pelleted white clover seed be grown as ground cover and as perennials in USDA Zones 3-10.
Choosing the Right Clover for Your Lawn: A Buyer’s Guide
Adding clover to your lawn can make it greener, healthier, and easier to care for. Clover needs less water and fertilizer than regular grass. It also brings bees, which are great for your garden. But not all clover is the same! This guide helps you pick the best type for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When buying clover seed, check these important features first:
1. Clover Species (Type)
- White Clover (Trifolium repens): This is the most common choice. It stays low to the ground and spreads well. It handles foot traffic nicely.
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): This type grows taller. It’s great for cutting into hay but might be too tall for a neat lawn look.
- Microclover (e.g., ‘Pirouette’ or ‘Microclover’): This newer type stays very short, almost like regular grass. It needs less mowing. This is often the best choice for a traditional lawn look.
2. Seed Coating and Treatment
Many clover seeds come coated. This coating often holds starter fertilizer and protective materials. A good coating helps the tiny seeds sprout faster and survive early growing challenges.
3. Seed Purity and Germination Rate
Look at the bag label. High purity means you get mostly clover seed, not weeds. The germination rate tells you how many seeds will actually grow. Aim for a rate above 80% for the best results.
Important Materials and Companions
Clover rarely grows alone. Think about what you mix it with.
1. Grass Mix Compatibility
If you are overseeding an existing lawn, make sure the clover type works well with your current grass (like Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass). Microclover mixes best with finer grasses.
2. Nitrogen Fixation
One great material benefit of clover is nitrogen fixation. Clover pulls nitrogen from the air and puts it into the soil. This acts as a natural fertilizer for your grass, meaning you use fewer chemical products.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your clover lawn depends on your choices before and after planting.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Inoculant: Some clover seeds need an inoculant (a powder containing helpful bacteria) to help them fix nitrogen well. Check if your seed is pre-inoculated.
- Proper Soil pH: Clover likes soil that is not too acidic. Testing your soil helps you add lime if needed, which boosts growth.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Planting Too Deep: Clover seeds are tiny. If you bury them too deep when planting, they will not reach the sunlight and will die.
- Too Much Fertilizer (Early On): Heavy nitrogen fertilizer discourages the clover from starting its crucial nitrogen-fixing job.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your lawn guides your choice.
Low-Maintenance Areas:
If you want a lawn that needs very little work, choose slow-growing White Clover or Microclover. They stay green even during dry spells, reducing your watering needs.
High-Traffic Play Areas:
While clover is tough, dense, traditional grass mixes usually handle heavy running better. Use clover as an addition (about 10-20% of the mix) rather than the main component in very active play zones.
Pollinator Gardens:
If your main goal is helping bees, choose standard White Clover. It produces many flowers throughout the season. Just remember that more flowers mean you might need to mow less often.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Clover
Q: How soon after planting will I see clover sprouts?
A: If conditions are warm and moist, you should see sprouts in about 7 to 14 days.
Q: Do I need to remove my old grass before planting clover?
A: Not always. You can overseed clover into an existing lawn, especially if the grass is thin. You should mow the grass very short first.
Q: Will clover take over my entire lawn?
A: White clover spreads by runners (stolons), but if you keep it mowed, it stays manageable. Microclover spreads much less.
Q: Is clover better than grass for drought?
A: Yes. Clover has deeper roots than most common lawn grasses, helping it find water during dry times.
Q: Can I use weed killer on a clover lawn?
A: Be very careful. Most broadleaf weed killers will also kill the clover because clover is a broadleaf plant.
Q: Does clover need fertilizer?
A: Clover needs very little fertilizer because it makes its own nitrogen. It benefits more from lime if your soil is too acidic.
Q: Which clover type is best for sunny spots?
A: White clover handles full sun very well, provided it gets enough water when establishing.
Q: What is the ideal time of year to plant clover?
A: Early spring or early fall are the best times. The soil is warm enough for germination, but the air temperatures are not too hot.
Q: Will clover attract more bugs to my yard?
A: Clover naturally attracts pollinators like bees when it flowers. If you mow frequently, you reduce the flowering and the bug attraction.
Q: How often should I mow a clover lawn?
A: If you use Microclover, mow about once a week, keeping the blades high (3 inches). If you use standard White Clover, you might only need to mow every two to three weeks.