Haresfoot clover
Trifolium arvense · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant haresfoot clover: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to September
- Adult size
- 15 to 40 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 °C)
- Origin
- Europe, Asia Minor
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky, poor to moderate
Care
Exposure
Hare's foot thrives in full sun, which promotes abundant flowering. A sunny position for at least 6 hours a day is ideal. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less densely.
Watering
This very hardy plant only needs regular watering during establishment (first year). Once established, it's drought-resistant and only needs extra water during exceptionally dry periods.
Soil
Hare's foot prefers well-drained and even chalky soils. It adapts to poor soils and readily naturalizes in dry grasslands and wastelands. Avoid heavy substrates or regularly moist soils.
Pruning and maintenance
No real pruning is necessary. You can cut it back lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. It often self-seeds.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is essential: hare's foot, like all legumes, fixes atmospheric nitrogen thanks to symbiotic root bacteria. Poor soil suits it perfectly.
Pest and disease resistance
This plant is very robust and rarely affected by pests or diseases. Its hardy nature and natural vigor guarantee trouble-free growth.
Did you know?
Hare's foot gets its common name from its fuzzy, elongated flower heads, which resemble the soft paw of a hare. Once, this small clover was widely used as supplementary fodder for livestock and as a honey plant, attracting bees and bumblebees to cultivated fields.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.