Red clover
Trifolium pratense · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant red clover: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, trifoliate
- Flowering
- May to September, pink or purple flowers
- Mature size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Europe, Western Asia
- Soil type
- Well-drained soil, undemanding
- Cycle
- Perennial or annual depending on conditions
Care
Watering
Red clover resists drought well once established. Water moderately during active growth periods, especially if the soil dries out. In temperate or rainy climates, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes disease.
Light Exposure
Plant red clover in full sun or partial shade for abundant flowering. It tolerates partially shaded areas but flowers less densely. A sunny location strengthens its vigor and flower production.
Cutting and Pruning
Cut or mow regularly to encourage branching and extend the flowering period. A first cut after initial flowering encourages reblooming. In meadows, annual autumn mowing maintains the plant's balance and promotes renewal.
Soil and Preparation
Red clover adapts to most soils, even poor or chalky ones. Well-drained soil is preferable to prevent root suffocation. Undemanding in fertility, it naturally enriches soil through nitrogen fixation via its roots.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is generally necessary: red clover is a legume that fixes nitrogen from the air. In very depleted soil, a light application of compost or organic amendment in spring can help with initial establishment.
Diseases and Pests
Red clover is robust and rarely affected by diseases. Powdery mildew or rust may occasionally appear in very humid conditions; good air circulation limits these risks. Certain insects naturally visit it without causing notable damage.
Did you know?
Red clover was long cultivated in permanent meadows to naturally enrich soils: its roots harbor bacteria (Rhizobium) that capture atmospheric nitrogen, a fascinating symbiosis that allowed farmers to abandon nitrogen fertilizers. Combined with grasses, it forms highly nutritious fodder for livestock and remains a key plant in sustainable and organic agriculture.
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.