Clover Lawn: Everything You Need to Know

Starting with a blank slate when it comes to your lawn can seem daunting, but it means you have an opportunity to go with something other than grass. Clover is an increasingly popular option, as it grows more quickly, requires less maintenance, and less watering, making it more sustainable. In this guide, we’ll explain the pros and cons of this grass alternative, offer some maintenance tips, and include a step-by-step guide on how to plant a clover lawn, even if you’re a complete beginner.

What is a Clover Lawn?

Clover is a dense ground cover plant that’s mostly herbaceous but also grows small white flowers. Clover has short stems, and while it can grow up to 6 to 8 inches tall, it’s often much shorter. It’s easily identified by its shamrock-shaped leaves.

Clover lawns are becoming more popular for a few key reasons. First, clover is technically considered a weed, so it grows and spreads rapidly. It gets dense quickly, which means other, less attractive weeds have a harder time competing with it than they would with grass.

Clover is also easier to care for than grass, and with low-maintenance landscaping and sustainability becoming ever more popular, the infrequent mowing and watering required make clover a more and more prevalent lawn option.

Is Clover a Better Lawn Than Grass?

Whether or not clover is a better option for you depends on many things, as there are some downsides to consider.

Below is a quick comparison of clover vs. grass lawns to help you decide if clover is worth considering for your property.

Clover grows rapidly, so it fills in more quickly than traditional grass. It also adds nitrogen to the soil rather than depleting it and naturally resists erosion, and the flowers it produces can attract pollinators. As such, clover is a more environmentally friendly option than grass in many cases. It’s also better at blocking unwanted weeds, and it’s heartier and will thrive in a wider range of temperatures and climates.

Clover Lawn vs. Grass Lawn Cost

Clover seed costs between $4 and $11 per pound, in most cases, and prices can climb to $32 per pound for microclover. Grass seed costs between $1 and $16 per pound with an average of between $2 and $3 for standard species, like fescues. If you go with something like microclover, you’ll end up spending more on a clover lawn. In most other cases, clover seed is more affordable than grass seed.

Even if your clover seed is more expensive per pound, you’ll save overall because clover seed goes further than grass seed. For 1,000 square feet, you’ll need between 8 and 10 pounds of fescue seed but just ¼-pound to ½-pound of clover seed. Fescue seed costs $2 per pound, on average, so it would cost $16 to $20 to cover 1,000 square feet. Even at the upper end of the cost range for clover seed, you’re paying $11 per pound, and the cost to cover 1,000 square feet would be just $3 to $5.50.

You’ll save even more over time when you plant clover instead of grass, as it requires less frequent watering, fertilizing, weed treatments, and mowing. Weekly lawn mowing service alone costs between $1,820 and $5,200, so in the first year, a clover lawn that requires minimal or even no mowing would save you a significant amount of money.

How to Plant a Clover Lawn

Knowing how to plant a clover lawn yourself can save you on labor costs, and it’s a project that any DIYer can handle with the proper tools and some basic know-how.

Clover seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 85°F, so you have some wiggle room. Seeding in the spring will mean fast, even germination. Waiting until the early summer can encourage strong root growth before the hot weather hits and give your clover the best chance of surviving through the heat.

Once you choose the right time to seed your lawn, you can follow the steps below for the best results.

1. Measure the area

First off, you want to make sure you get the right amount of seed, so begin by measuring the length and width of the space. For irregular shapes, break down the area into smaller sections, find the area of each, and then add them together to get the total. Consider using online virtual measuring tools if you’re finding the process challenging.

Assume you’ll need between ¼-pound and ½-pound of clover seed for every 1,000 square feet to get an estimate, but plan on buying a bit more than you need so you don’t run out.

2. Clear the area

If you’re not starting with bare soil, start by removing any existing grass, weeds, rocks, and other lawn debris from the area. Loosen and level the soil with an iron rake to make it easier for your clover to take root. Compacted soil can cause issues for sprouting clover, so aerate beforehand if the dirt is hard and compact.

3. Spread the clover seeds evenly over the soil

With the soil flat and even, use a seed spreader to spread the seeds. Aim to use between 1 and 5 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. You can also go higher or lower, depending on your desired density. A walk-behind spreader will give you more consistency, but a hand spreader is more affordable at between $25 and $50.

You don’t need to be as meticulous when it comes to seed density when spreading clover seeds as you would with grass seed, as the clover will fill in gaps quickly once it begins growing.

4. Lightly rake the seeds into the soil

Use a steel leaf rake upside down and go over the seeded areas lightly to improve seed-to-soil contact. You can apply a light layer of topsoil, peat moss, or hay over the seeds to help keep them in place and maintain a good moisture level.

5. Water the area thoroughly and keep moist until germination

Like grass and any other plant, clover seeds require constant moisture levels to germinate, so use a light spray nozzle on your hose to water the area. Aim to keep the soil moist but not saturated for 7 to 10 days. If you aren’t getting rain, be consistent with watering with a sprinkler system or a hose to give your clover the best chance of developing strong roots.

Choosing the Right Clover Variety for Your Climate

There are around 300 species of clover, but there are eight primary options you have for growing a lawn: white clover, which is also called Dutch clover, alpine, red, crimson, subterranean, rose, Burseem, and microclover. The one that’s right for you depends on the climate in your area, your aesthetic and maintenance preferences, and more.

These eight species of clover thrive across many different USDA plant hardiness zones, from 3a to 10b, which makes them suitable options for most areas in the U.S. The most suitable states for clover lawns include California, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Minnesota and Wisconsin are, perhaps, surprising to see on the list, but clover’s cold tolerance makes it ideal for growing in cooler climates. Alaska and Arizona are the only two states where clover isn’t a suitable option.

Check which USDA hardiness zone you live in, and then use the information below to choose the best species for your location.

Hardiness zone 3-4 (very cold climates)

Hardiness zones 3 and 4 see cold winters and temperatures that regularly dip and remain below freezing during the winter. White clover and alpine clover are best for these areas, as they stand up well to colder climates.

• White Clover: This is one of the most hardy clovers, capable of surviving in cold climates. It works well in zones 3-4, especially in well-drained soils.

• Alpine Clover: This variety is cold-tolerant and works well in high-elevation and cooler climates.

Hardiness zone 5-6 (cool climates with warm summers)

Hardiness zones 5 and 6 are still cool climates but experience warm summers. White clover is still a good option in these areas, but you can also choose red clover or crimson clover.

• White Clover: This species thrives in Zones 5-6 with moderate rainfall and cooler temperatures.

• Red Clover: Red clover is hardy in Zones 4-7 but does especially well in Zones 5-6. It’s ideal for cooler climates and can tolerate some drought.

• Crimson Clover: Crimson clover is best for Zones 5-6. It grows rapidly in cooler seasons and provides excellent cover to reduce the risk of weed growth in the warmer months.

Hardiness zone 7-8 (mild winters and hot summers)

Hardiness zones 7 and 8 experience hot summers and mild winters, so clover species that thrive in warmer temperatures, like subterranean and rose clover, are ideal.

• Subterranean Clover: This type of clover is suited for Mediterranean climates with mild winters and hot summers, 

• Rose Clover: Rose clover grows well in Zones 7-8, especially in areas that experience dry summers.

Hardiness zone 9-10 (warm climates)

For homeowners in the southernmost states that fall in hardiness zones 9 and 10, Berseem clover and microclover are some of the only options that will survive the intense heat and generally dry conditions.

• Berseem Clover: Berseem clover grows well in warm climates and can persist through minor drought conditions.

• Microclover: These compact, heat-resistant varieties perform well in Zones 8-10 and are often used in lawns or with other grass species. They produce fewer blooms, which can reduce how attractive your lawn is to pollinators. This could be beneficial if you have children or pets, but it also means less of a positive impact on the environment.

What are the Downsides of Clover Lawn?

Clover lawns require less maintenance and end up being a more affordable lawn option to care for, but there are some downsides to consider before you rip up your existing lawn and lay down clover seed.

• Requires reseeding more frequently than some turfgrasses: While clover will need general maintenance less frequently than grass, you will need to reseed more often. This is in part due to the low resilience to foot traffic and also because the plant itself is a short-lived perennial. You should plan to reseed every two to three years, while grass may only need reseeding every four to five years.

• Less tidy appearance: Clover is technically a weed, and while it’s a relatively tame one that rarely looks overgrown, a clover lawn will look less manicured than traditional grass in many cases. Clover can also spread rapidly to areas you don’t want it, like flower beds, so you may need to invest in landscape curbing or rely on hand weeding more often.

• Clover goes dormant in winter: Grass and clover both go dormant in the winter. However, dormant grass just turns brown and maintains its density. Clover will lose its leaves, which can expose the soil below, making your lawn look even less appealing than it would with dormant grass.

Maintenance Tips

Clover lawns are relatively low-maintenance, but with some minimal input, you can get a nicer-looking clover lawn and help your clover grow thicker and more quickly. Here are some maintenance tips for the best results.

• Focus on constant moisture during germination: Just like other plants, clover needs constant moisture levels when germinating to thrive. Keep the soil moist but not saturated for 7 to 10 days after seeding, and then water as needed, or about once a week.

• Put the mower away: Many species of clover will grow to just an inch or two tall, making it the perfect height to cover your lawn without the need for frequent mowing. You can forgo mowing altogether or just mow a few times a year to maintain a more manicured look.

• Forget the fertilizer: Unlike grass, you don’t need to worry about fertilizing clover. In fact, clover naturally restores nitrogen to your soil, so even if you mix clover with traditional grass, you likely won’t need to fertilize.

• Don’t worry about weedkiller: Unlike grass, clover creates dense coverage over your soil, so it naturally suppresses other weeds. You can avoid herbicides for the most part, and you should definitely avoid broadleaf herbicides, which will kill off your clover.

• Forgo soil prep but not the reseeding: Clover lawns don’t require aeration or thatch removal, but you should plan on reseeding every two to three years. Seed in the early spring or fall for the best results.

• Keep it contained: Use edging or landscape curbing to prevent it from spreading into gardens and flower beds.

• Maintain a good pH: Clover thrives in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It’s mostly self-sufficient once it begins growing, but test and amend your soil to get the proper pH before the first seeding.

Clover Lawns Are a Great Alternative to Grass

When growing or re-growing a lawn, grass is the traditional go-to, but clover is becoming more popular across the country because it requires less watering, making it a more sustainable option, and it needs far less maintenance and fewer chemical treatments. It’s more expensive to seed a clover lawn upfront, but you’ll save on maintenance and watering costs in the long run. If you don’t mind having a less manicured lawn and or the bees clover can attract, a clover lawn is a great grass alternative to consider.

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