White clover Trifolium repens
White clover (Trifolium repens) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Fabaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia (now naturalised worldwide). It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan White clover in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
White clover at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.8–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: flowers, young leaves (small amounts) |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia (now naturalised worldwide) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is White clover toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: foliage
Contains small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides and can cause bloat in grazing livestock; pet poisoning is rare.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with White clover
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about White clover
- How far apart should I plant White clover?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does White clover need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does White clover need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is White clover?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does White clover flower?
- From about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is White clover poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Contains small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides and can cause bloat in grazing livestock; pet poisoning is rare.
- What grows well with White clover?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules; grown as a lawn companion, living mulch or green manure.
- Naturalised almost worldwide and can spread into other plantings.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis