A clover lawn is a ground cover composed primarily of Trifolium repens, commonly known as white clover, or its smaller cultivar, micro-clover. This plant is a legume, which distinguishes it from the turf grass that has dominated residential landscapes for decades. Homeowners are increasingly turning to clover, either seeded alone or mixed with grass, as a low-impact, sustainable alternative to the resource-intensive traditional lawn. The shift is driven by a desire to reduce the use of water, fertilizers, and herbicides.
Ecological and Maintenance Advantages
The most significant benefit of clover is its unique ability to fertilize itself through nitrogen fixation. Clover forms a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, which capture nitrogen gas from the atmosphere and convert it into a usable ammonium form. This natural process eliminates the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which often contribute to water pollution through runoff.
Clover’s root system is deeper than the shallow roots of most common turf grasses, providing a natural defense against dry periods. This deep anchoring allows the plant to tap into deeper soil moisture reserves, enabling it to remain green during summer heat and drought conditions when traditional lawns turn brown and dormant.
The plant’s dense growth habit and broad leaves naturally suppress broadleaf weeds, reducing the necessity for chemical herbicides. Clover also maintains a relatively low growth profile, meaning it requires less frequent mowing than turf grass, often only a few times per season to encourage lateral spread and a tidier look.
Practical Challenges and Limitations
Clover produces small white or pink flowers that are highly attractive to pollinating insects. While beneficial for the local ecosystem, the presence of these pollinators can be a safety concern for households with children or pets that frequently use the lawn for play. Mowing the clover before it flowers can mitigate this concern, but reduces the low-maintenance appeal.
Clover’s structure is less robust than that of turf grasses, making it poorly suited for areas that experience heavy foot traffic. Pure clover lawns can quickly wear down, showing bare patches where grass would typically recover, though mixing it with a durable grass species can improve resilience. The plant material itself is prone to leaching chlorophyll when wet, which can result in bright green stains on clothing, shoes, and pet fur. Clover is a perennial that goes dormant, turning brown in the winter months, which may be less visually appealing than cool-season grasses that retain some color.
Establishing and Upkeep Requirements
Clover thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. If the soil is too acidic, it may need to be amended with lime to allow the nitrogen-fixing bacteria to flourish. The best time for seeding is during the milder temperatures of early spring or early fall.
Seeds can be broadcast over prepared soil at a rate of approximately four to eight ounces per 1,000 square feet for a pure stand, or less for overseeding into an existing lawn. Mixing the tiny seeds with sand or sawdust before spreading can help ensure a more uniform distribution. Following seeding, the area must be kept consistently moist for the first two weeks to promote germination. Once established, maintenance is minimal, but if mowing is desired, setting the blade height to three or four inches helps shade the soil and encourages the clover’s resilience.