Baby clover plants offer a practical solution for those seeking an alternative to traditional lawns or a resilient ground cover. These low-growing varieties provide a lush, green appearance, making them a popular choice for various landscape applications. Their ability to thrive in challenging conditions while requiring less upkeep contributes to their increasing appeal.
Understanding Baby Clover Plants
Baby clover plants are often white clover (Trifolium repens) varieties. Microclover, with smaller leaves and compact growth, is a notable example. Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum), a herbaceous perennial, is another type with a tough root system.
Strawberry Clover reaches about 10 centimeters in height, with branched stems extending up to 40 centimeters and rooting at nodes to form expansive patches. Its leaves are trifoliate with prominent veins. Both Microclover and Strawberry Clover spread effectively through stolons, creeping stems that root where they touch soil, forming dense mats. Its globular, pinkish-red florets ripen to resemble small strawberries.
Advantages and Applications
Baby clover plants offer advantages as a lawn alternative. They require less frequent mowing due to their lower height and slower growth. Their deep root systems contribute to drought tolerance, reducing irrigation needs once established.
As legumes, baby clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. This enriches the soil, supplying nutrients to clover and surrounding grasses, reducing or eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers. Its dense growth effectively suppresses weeds, preventing new seeds from establishing and reducing herbicide use.
Other advantages of baby clover include:
Soft texture underfoot, comfortable for outdoor activities.
Vibrant green appearance throughout the growing season, even during dry spells.
Cost-effective, with affordable seeds and reduced maintenance expenses.
Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees.
Effective as ground cover or for erosion control.
How to Plant Baby Clover
Establish baby clover by selecting an appropriate site. They thrive in full sun to partial shade, ideally with four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. While they tolerate some shade, dense shade hinders robust growth. Good soil drainage is important, as prolonged standing water is detrimental.
Prepare the soil by removing weeds or vegetation. A soil test determines pH; baby clover prefers 6.0 to 7.0 for growth. If the pH is too low, incorporate agricultural lime. After preparation, lightly rake the soil surface to loosen it, creating a receptive seedbed.
Plant in early spring or late summer to early fall, avoiding extreme heat. Broadcast small seeds evenly over the prepared soil. For good seed-to-soil contact, lightly rake seeds into the top 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil or gently press them down with a roller. A typical seeding rate is 400 grams per 1,000 square feet.
After sowing, keep the area consistently moist to encourage germination, which usually occurs within 7 to 15 days. Water lightly to avoid washing away the small seeds.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, baby clover requires less care. Established clover is drought-tolerant, needing deep watering only during extended dry periods, typically once a week. During initial establishment, maintaining consistent moisture is more important.
Mowing is optional, as baby clover naturally maintains a low profile. For a tidier appearance or denser growth, mow to 2.5 to 4 inches. Mowing frequency is typically once a month or less. Fertilization is rarely needed. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; they can promote grass growth over clover and harm its roots.
Weed management relies on the clover’s dense growth, which naturally suppresses most weeds. For persistent weeds, hand-pulling is recommended to avoid damaging the clover. Broadleaf herbicides will kill clover, so their use should be avoided. Some grass-specific herbicides may be used if grass becomes an issue.
Addressing Common Issues
Yellowing leaves in baby clover plants stem from several factors. Overwatering is a frequent cause, leading to waterlogged roots and hindering health. Conversely, underwatering or water stress also results in yellowing. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly with imbalanced soil pH, can impact nutrient absorption. Plant diseases like bacterial blight or mosaic virus may also cause yellowing foliage.
Pest infestations can affect baby clover. Slugs are common pests, causing significant damage, especially in damp environments. Their presence is often indicated by shiny trails on the soil surface. Other pests include stem eelworms, sitona weevils, leatherjackets, and aphids.
Patchy growth is a common occurrence during initial establishment. This stems from uneven seeding, inadequate soil preparation, or inconsistent watering. If bare patches develop, they can be reseeded to promote a more uniform cover. Adequate sunlight and avoiding heavy foot traffic also help prevent patchy areas.