Tired of a patchy, hungry lawn that demands constant feeding and watering? Imagine a vibrant green carpet that actually helps the soil, stays lush through dry spells, and needs less mowing. That’s the magic clover can bring to your yard, but choosing the right seed can feel like a maze.
Many homeowners face the frustration of buying the wrong type of clover. Do you need microclover, white clover, or something else? Picking the wrong variety means you end up with weeds instead of the beautiful, nitrogen-fixing ground cover you wanted. It’s tough to know which seeds mix well with your existing grass and thrive in your specific climate.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best clover seed options available, explaining exactly what each type does for your lawn. By the end, you will know precisely which clover seed to buy for a healthier, greener, and more eco-friendly yard.
Top Clover Seed For Lawns Recommendations
- Pennington turf grass with self-fertilizing white clover
- Establishes quickly and lasts for years - even on slopes and hills
- Grass and Clover Mix is pollinator-friendly
- Grows best in northern region of the US
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Large capacity & high germination: 2 lbs. of white clover seed can cover up to 1,000 sq. ft. of land, making it easy to quickly create a lush green landscape, whether it's a patio, lawn, or garden. The Groundio selects high-quality seeds that are specially Nitrocoated and inoculated to ensure a high rate of germination and robust growth, guaranteeing planting results at the source
- Perennial & Easy to grow: Clover is a perennial plant suitable for growing in USDA zones 3-10, seeds can be buried 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep or sprinkled directly on the soil surface and lightly mulched. No special care is needed, germination occurs in 7-14 days, the plant is adaptable, grows in full sun or semi-shade, yields better in full sun, matures to a height of about 8-12 inches, suitable for pastures, lawns, gardens, and many other scenarios
- Nitrogen Fixation: White Clover has a strong nitrogen fixing ability, naturally enhancing soil fertility for sustainable cultivation. The dense foliage covers the ground, which regulates ground temperature, maintains soil moisture, and inhibits weed growth
- Attracts pollinators: Clover is not only pleasing to the eye when in bloom, it is also an ideal source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, which promotes pollination and fruiting of neighboring plants and contributes to the ecological balance; Clover is rich in protein, so it is also a natural fodder for cows, horses, and deer etc
- A garden must-have: Groundio White Clover is the perfect choice for your garden, easy to grow with not much time or effort, white flowers on green foliage, a lush natural beauty, whether used as a ground cover or planted between paving stones, clover is the ideal choice!
- O.M. Scott & Sons Clover Seed is crafted with premium strawberry clover which grows a naturally low-maintenance green space
- Strawberry clover stays greener longer during drought, and feeds itself by naturally converting nitrogen from the air into fertilizer, so you can spend less time on yard work and more time on yard play
- This clover lawn seed contains no added artificial or pest control ingredients, and it’s safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed)
- Apply in the spring or fall when the daily average temperature is consistently between 60°F and 75°F for two weeks; one 2 lb. bag covers 1,000 sq. ft.
- O.M. Scott & Sons products are packaged in a recyclable paper bag - apply the product to your yard then toss the bag in your curbside recycling bin where available
- PREMIUM QUALITY CLOVER SEED: This high-quality white clover seed is perfect for erosion control, creating a lush lawn alternative, and enriching pasture mixtures. Ideal for covering large areas, it serves multiple purposes including use in deer food plots, green manure crops, and ground cover, making it the most suitable white dutch clover seeds for lawn, garden and backyard.
- ADVANCED NITROCOATED & INOCULATED SEEDS - Specially treated to ensure superior germination rates and enhance soil health, these ground cover seeds promote robust plant growth. They naturally boost soil nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, making them a great clover seed choice for any agricultural application.
- ADAPTABLE TO USDA ZONES 3-10 - Thriving in a wide range of climates, from full sun to partial shade, this white clover seed for lawns is suitable for various regions across the country. Whether you're in the north or south, this resilient clover ensures lush growth and reliable coverage, making it an excellent cover crop seed mix for drought resistant grass seed, red creeping thyme live plants & irish moss seeds.
- EASY & EFFECTIVE SEEDING: Simply disperse the white flower seeds on prepared soil, lightly rake them in, and keep them continually moist. Expect quick germination within 14 days at temperatures between 65-70F. With a seeding rate of 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet or 8 to 10 lbs per acre, it’s ideal for large areas and bulk planting.
- OPTIMAL GROWTH & AESTHETIC APPEAL - Growing to a manageable height of 8-12 inches, this perennial clover seeds feature beautiful white blooms that enhance your landscape. It is a great choice for use as a flowering ground cover and a lawn patch alternative.
- PREMIUM QUALITY CLOVER SEED: This high-quality white clover seed is perfect for erosion control, creating a lush lawn alternative, and enriching pasture mixtures. Ideal for covering large areas, it serves multiple purposes including use in deer food plots, green manure crops, and ground cover, making it the most suitable white dutch clover seeds for lawn, garden and backyard.
- ADVANCED NITROCOATED & INOCULATED SEEDS - Specially treated to ensure superior germination rates and enhance soil health, these ground cover seeds promote robust plant growth. They naturally boost soil nitrogen by fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, making them a great clover seed choice for any agricultural application.
- ADAPTABLE TO USDA ZONES 3-10 - Thriving in a wide range of climates, from full sun to partial shade, this white clover seed for lawns is suitable for various regions across the country. Whether you're in the north or south, this resilient clover ensures lush growth and reliable coverage, making it an excellent cover crop seed mix for drought resistant grass seed, red creeping thyme live plants & irish moss seeds.
- EASY & EFFECTIVE SEEDING: Simply disperse the white flower seeds on prepared soil, lightly rake them in, and keep them continually moist. Expect quick germination within 14 days at temperatures between 65-70F. With a seeding rate of 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb per 1,000 square feet or 8 to 10 lbs per acre, it’s ideal for large areas and bulk planting.
- OPTIMAL GROWTH & AESTHETIC APPEAL - Growing to a manageable height of 8-12 inches, this perennial clover seeds feature beautiful white blooms that enhance your landscape. It is a great choice for use as a flowering ground cover and a lawn patch alternative.
- IDEAL LAWN ALTERNATIVE OR MIX-IN: Our miniclover seed is a trifolium repens that serves as a perfect alternative to traditional lawns or can be seamlessly blend with your existing grass. This variety of dwarf clover is a perennial, white clover which provides a lush and green landscape that reduces the need for frequent reseeding and intensive lawn care, ensuring a consistently dense and healthy yard.
- NITROGEN-FIXING ABILITY: Our mini clover seeds for lawn has the unique ability to pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for plants, naturally fertilizing your lawn and promoting healthier, greener grass. The dense growth habit of our mini clover seed also helps prevent unwanted plants, keeping your lawn pristine.
- DROUGHT-TOLERANT & LOW-MAINTENANCE: You only need to add 2-5% of our microclover seed to your grass seed mixture to see significant improvements in lawn quality, making it a highly cost-effective solution. It is exceptionally low maintenance wear, and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for busy homeowners who want a beautiful lawn without the hassle of extensive upkeep.
- SMALL-LEAVED & LOW MOWING TOLERANCE: Our small-leaved, white clover seed features a very small leaf and only grows half as tall as white dutch clover (4-6 inches). It also produces stolons allowing it to spread evenly over the ground. It is highly tolerant to low mowing heights, so you can easily mow it down to achieve a neat and manicured look without damaging the live plants.
- SEASONAL FLOWERING: Outsidepride MiniClover will produce charming white flowers for about one month during the summer if it is not mowed, adding a touch of seasonal beauty and visual interest to your lawn. Each flower may attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. Our pelleted white clover seed be grown as ground cover and as perennials in USDA Zones 3-10.
- High Quality Seeds: 2 lbs. of red clover seed can cover up to 1,000 sq. ft. of land, providing a lush red landscape for your patio, lawn, or garden, the Groundio selects the highest quality seed, specially Nitrocoated and inoculated to ensure a high rate of germination and robust growth, guaranteeing planting results at the source
- Strong Adaptability: The crimson clover is highly adaptable to USDA zones 2-10, thrives in a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, and tolerates moderately acidic soils, which makes it an ideal groundcover plant, and it can also be seeded as a seed mix for other plants
- Easy to Grow : Clover is one of the easiest flower species to grow, seeds can be buried up to 1/4 inch deep in clay soil and 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep in sandy soil, germination occurs in 7-14 days, plants are highly adaptable and can grow in full sun or semi-shade, yields are better in full sun, matures to a height of about 12-20 inches, suitable for pastures, lawns, gardens, and a variety of other scenes
- Nitrogen Fixing: The roots of annual clover have a powerful nitrogen fixing ability, naturally enhancing soil fertility. The dense leaves cover the ground surface, which can regulate the ground temperature, maintain soil moisture, and inhibit the growth of wild grass
- Attracting Pollinators: The flowers of red clover are not only conspicuous and eye-catching, but also an ideal nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which promotes the pollination and fruiting of the neighboring plants, and contributes to the ecological balance; and the clover is rich in proteins, and thus is a natural feed for animals such as cows, horses, and deer etc
- Natural beauty of three different flowers and lush growth, attracting honey bees, etc.
- Improves and protects soil, great green manure, compost/mulch, adds organic matter to soil.
- Great for use in garden & growth plots; nitrogen affixent, boosting soil fertility & health
- No weed seeds, no fillers, no coatings, no other crop seeds!
- Authentic Willamette Valley, Oregon USA grown seed (Non GMO and Weed Seed Free)!
Choosing the Best Clover Seed for a Lush Lawn
Clover is a fantastic addition to your lawn. It stays green even when grass gets dry. It also helps feed your soil naturally. Buying the right clover seed makes all the difference. Use this guide to pick the perfect seeds for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for clover seed, check these important features first:
- Seed Type: Different clovers fit different needs. White clover is low-growing and great for high-traffic areas. Crimson clover grows tall and adds beautiful red flowers. Microclover stays very small, looking more like traditional grass.
- Inoculant Coating: Good clover seeds come coated with an inoculant. This is a special powder that helps the clover grab nitrogen from the air. Nitrogen helps the clover grow strong and feeds your surrounding grass too!
- Germination Rate: This number tells you how many seeds are likely to sprout. Look for a high germination rate, usually 80% or higher, for the best results.
- Purity Percentage: This shows how much of the bag is actually clover seed. A high purity (98% or more) means you aren’t paying for weeds or filler.
Important Materials in Clover Seed Mixes
Clover is rarely planted alone. Lawn mixes often combine different types of seeds.
The Clover Itself: Ensure the bag clearly lists the clover variety (e.g., Ladino, Dutch White). Read the label to see the percentage of clover versus grass.
Companion Grasses: Many mixes include fine fescue or perennial rye grass. These grasses sprout quickly, protecting the slower-growing clover seeds while they establish themselves. They also help fill in bare spots right away.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Seed Quality
Seed quality directly affects how healthy your lawn becomes.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Freshness: Buy seeds packaged recently. Old seed loses its ability to sprout.
- Proper Storage: Seeds kept cool and dry maintain high quality.
- Inoculation: As mentioned, good inoculation boosts soil health.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Inert Matter: Too much “other stuff” in the bag lowers the usable seed amount.
- Weed Seeds: Poorly cleaned seed carries weed seeds that will compete with your new clover.
- Damage: Seeds that look broken or dusty might not sprout well.
User Experience and Best Use Cases
Think about what you want your lawn to do. This helps narrow down your choice.
For a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Lawn: Choose White Clover. It handles mowing well and stays green when the summer heat hits the regular grass hard. It’s great for people who want less fertilizer.
For Quick Ground Cover: Mix clover with fast-sprouting Annual Rye Grass. This gives you fast results while the slower clover establishes itself underneath.
For Pollinators: Crimson or medium-sized clovers attract bees better than microclover. Plant these in less-mowed areas of your yard.
Planting Tip: Clover seeds are tiny. You must spread them very evenly. Using a spreader helps you get the best coverage. Do not bury the seeds deep; they need light to start growing.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Clover Seed
Q: How deep should I plant clover seed?
A: Clover seeds need light to germinate. You should only lightly rake them into the very top layer of soil, or simply scatter them on the surface and press them down firmly.
Q: When is the best time to plant clover seed?
A: Early spring or early fall are the best times. The soil needs to be warm enough for sprouting, but the weather should not be too hot or too cold.
Q: Will clover choke out my existing grass?
A: No, clover usually mixes well with established grass, especially fine fescues. It often acts as a healthy partner, adding nitrogen to the soil for the grass.
Q: Do I need to fertilize clover?
A: Clover is famous because it naturally creates its own nitrogen fertilizer. You usually do not need extra nitrogen fertilizer for clover to thrive.
Q: How often should I water new clover seedlings?
A: Keep the top inch of soil constantly moist until the seeds sprout, which might take one to three weeks. After that, water deeply but less often.
Q: Can I mow over new clover?
A: Wait until the clover is well-established, usually about 6 to 8 inches tall, before the first mowing. Set your mower blade high for the first few cuts.
Q: Is microclover the same as regular white clover?
A: Microclover is a smaller variety of white clover. It stays much shorter and looks more like turf grass, meaning you mow it more frequently.
Q: How long does it take for clover seed to sprout?
A: If conditions are perfect, you might see sprouts in 7 to 10 days. In cooler or drier soil, it can take up to three weeks.
Q: What type of soil does clover prefer?
A: Clover is very adaptable! It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0 to 7.0), but it tolerates many soil types.
Q: Does clover need sun or shade?
A: Clover needs at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily to grow thick and healthy.