White Dutch Clover Seeds
LATIN NAME
Trifolium repens
SEASON
Perennial
BLOOM COLOR
White
WHEN TO PLANT
Early spring to early fall
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Nitrogen fixator, low maintenance
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Low - moderate
ACIDIC SOIL TOLERANCE
Moderate
COLD TOLERANCE
Good
HEAT TOLERANCE
Good
SHADE TOLERANCE
Moderate
FERTILITY NEEDS
Low
MATURE HEIGHT
8 - 12 inches
About...
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium Repens) - White Dutch Clover designates a strain of white clover which is perennial and drought tolerant. Used in lawns, as a ground cover, cover crop, for erosion control, and in pasture mixtures. Popular clover seed for lawns; however, Miniclover® is a better lawn alternative in most areas.
MORE CLOVER OPTIONS
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
50F+
SEEDING RATE
8 - 10 lbs per acre
AVERAGE GERM TIME
7 - 14
PLANTING DEPTH
Up to 1/8 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or drill
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
USDA ZONES
3 - 10
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Moderate - fast
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium Repens) - White Dutch Clover designates a strain of white clover which is perennial and drought tolerant. Used in lawns, as a ground cover, cover crop, for erosion control, and in pasture mixtures. Usually matures around 8 - 12 inches tall. White Dutch clover and our Miniclover® are the most popular clover seeds used for lawns. Miniclover® is more dwarf only reaching approximately 4-6 inches tall, has a much smaller leaf blade, and is not as aggressive as white Dutch making it the better lawn clover choice.
Many homeowners include White Dutch clover in their lawn seed mixture because clover sprouts fast and grows so dependably that it's a valuable aid in getting a new lawn started. White dutch clover is the most popular clover seed for lawn alteratives, due to the fact it is cheaper than Miniclover®. If you are looking for bulk clover to mix in with an existing lawn, our Miniclover® seeds works better as it blends in much better and will not take grass over. White clovers are good for lawns since nodules on the roots fix nitrogen from the air. Actually, up to 1/3 the nitrogen your lawn needs can be obtained from white dutch clover! Grows vigorously even in poor clay subsoil around new home construction. If you want all the benefits of a cover crop but don't want to till early or mow often, clover is your best bet.
With Nitro-Coat® each seed is inoculated with the correct Rhizobium strains and coated through a proven process that ensures a very high level of successful inoculation. The weight of the clover seeds will contain approximately 34% coating material that contains the inoculant and water holding material for better establishment and viability of the seed. There is no difference in the seeding rates between the coated and raw seed due to the increased germination and viability of the bulk clover seeds that are coated and inoculated. This coating material is not OMRI certified.
Getting a good stand of white dutch clover seeds is a first and critical step to success with this high quality, persistent crop. Since white clover is usually grown with a cool season perennial grass (may be planted alone too), it is usually either seeded at the same time as the grass or seeded into an existing grass stand. Regardless of when it is seeded, certain principles and practices are important for success. These will be discussed below; however, readers should refer to state and local sources for specific recommendations for their area.
Seeding Rate
- Sow: 1/4 - 1/2 lb per 1000 square feet or 8 - 10 lbs per acre and should be planted at a depth of approximately 1/8 inch
Common Questions
Is white dutch clover safe for dogs and cats?
White Dutch Clover and Mini Clover are ASPCA-listed non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Will white dutch clover take over my entire yard?
White dutch clover spreads via surface stolons and reseeding, which is exactly what makes it self-repairing. In a mixed lawn it tends to fill gaps rather than displace healthy grass outright. Over time it does have the potential to be a lawn invader if turf isn’t maintained well.
What is white dutch good for?
White dutch clover is beneficial in many ways. It adds nitrogen to the soil especially when you plant it in the fall and till it under in the spring. It also helps suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion. In bloom, it is a valuable source of pollen and nectar for bees.
Is it okay to eat white clover?
Yes, all parts of the white clover plant are edible as long has it has not been treated with chemicals. You can eat the flowers or leaves raw or cooked.
Do I need to fertilize my white dutch clover?
No, white dutch clover does not need fertilized.
Will white dutch clover attract honey bees?
Yes, white dutch clover is a major food source for honey bees.
Why does my clover produce lots of leaves but few flowers?
This usually happens when the soil has too much nitrogen from fertilizers. Clover naturally fixes nitrogen, so excess feeding pushes leafy growth instead of blooms. Reducing nitrogen input and ensuring adequate phosphorus and potassium will encourage better flower production and longer blooming periods.
How often should I mow clover to keep it blooming?
Clover should not be mowed too frequently, as cutting removes developing flower buds. Mowing once after the peak bloom allows seeds to form and flowers to regenerate. Setting mower blades higher and leaving patches uncut will help extend the blooming season naturally.
Can overwatering really reduce clover blooming?
Yes, overwatering creates waterlogged soil, suffocating roots and encouraging fungal diseases that weaken plants. Clover thrives in evenly moist but well-drained soil. Deep, infrequent watering supports strong root systems and healthier blooms, while consistent overwatering reduces flowering and may cause early plant decline.
Why is soil pH important for clover flowers?
Soil pH affects nutrient availability. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline, clover cannot absorb key elements like phosphorus and potassium that support flowering. Testing soil regularly and adjusting pH with lime or sulfur ensures balanced conditions and better blooming performance.
Can clover grow well in shady areas?
Clover tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers with less sunlight. For abundant blooms, plant it where it receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. If your garden is shaded, trimming trees or relocating clover to sunnier spots will improve blooming significantly.
