White Clover
Trifolium repens
A low-growing, herbaceous perennial featuring distinctive trifoliate green leaves, often marked with faint whitish chevrons, and small rounded clusters of white or pale pink flowers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Highly drought-tolerant once established, but regular moisture keeps the foliage lush. Avoid waterlogged soils.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming a low-growing ground cover through creeping stolons. Reaches a height of 4 to 8 inches and spreads indefinitely.
Care instructions
Thrives in full sun to partial shade with moderate moisture. Prefers well-draining soil and requires little to no supplemental fertilizer as it naturally fixes nitrogen.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Highly drought-tolerant once established, but regular moisture keeps the foliage lush. Avoid waterlogged soils.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, preferring loamy or clay soils with good drainage and a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, demonstrating strong cold hardiness and heat tolerance.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming a low-growing ground cover through creeping stolons. Reaches a height of 4 to 8 inches and spreads indefinitely.
Bloom season
Blooms from late spring through autumn, producing small, rounded heads composed of numerous tiny white flowers.
Propagation
Propagates easily by seeds or naturally via creeping stems (stolons) that root at the nodes when in contact with the soil.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but can be susceptible to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, and root rots in overly wet or poorly drained conditions.
Similar species
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), which can be distinguished by its larger pinkish-red flower heads and hairy stems, and Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum), which features upright stems rather than creeping stolons.