Clover lawn: pros, cons, when it works

White clover (Trifolium repens) was a standard component of American lawn seed mixes until the 1950s, when it was reclassified as a weed -- largely because the herbicides developed to control broadleaf weeds in lawns also killed clover. Its removal was a cultural artifact of the herbicide era, not.

White clover (Trifolium repens) was a standard component of American lawn seed mixes until the 1950s, when it was reclassified as a weed — largely because the herbicides developed to control broadleaf weeds in lawns also killed clover. Its removal was a cultural artifact of the herbicide era, not a horticultural improvement.

Interest in clover lawns has grown substantially in the past decade, driven by concerns about lawn chemical use, drought performance, and pollinator habitat. The interest is mostly justified, but a clover lawn is not zero-maintenance or universally appropriate.

Species: which clover for lawns?

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, two species are used in lawn applications:

Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens): Standard variety; 6—12 inch spreading plant; white flower heads. The species most people picture. Works in zones 3—10. Fixes nitrogen, attracts bees aggressively when flowering.

Micro-clover (Trifolium repens var. Pipolina): A miniaturized variety that produces smaller leaves, lower growth habit, and significantly fewer flowers. Per The Lawn Institute, micro-clover blends better with turfgrasses at mowed heights and produces less visible flowering, which reduces the bee-sting concern in high-traffic areas.