Binomial Name: (Trifolium repens)
White Clover is a perennial, broadleaf herb in the family “Fabaceae” also known as “Leguminosae” in the Genus “ Trifolium". The pea and beans are also members of the same family, including many other legumes that are commercially grown worldwide. White Clover is also a cultivated forage of temperate zones that offers vital nutrients for the livestock besides enhancing the fertility of the soil. White clover also plants as a good companion in field crops, vegetables, and lawns where the growing purpose is to offer green cover to the soil that otherwise can't grow due to poor fertility. Similarly, if a turfgrass can't establish in poor soils, turf seed is mixed with the While Clover seed for the speedy establishment. White Clover prefers to adopt soil of average moisture within the elevations that range from 3000 to 8500 feet.
Origin and Distribution
White Clover is native to Central Asia, Europe, and the British Isles and now grows in grassy lawns and gardens throughout the US and is most prevalent in North American locations. Generally, White Clover grows in low nitrogen soils where it produces prolific seeds and, the young plants can tolerate mowing in turfgrasses. Due to this capability, White Clover can grow in a variety of soils type and compete with the turf besides nursery and orchard plants in most North American States in the US.
White Clover- Identification
White clover forms bad patches in lawns due to its spreading stolon. Usually, it exists with 3-leaves that are oppositely arranged on the stem. The presence of the 4th leaf is occasional. Stems are smooth or slightly covered with hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped, dull green from the bottom and dark green at the top with a unique splotch or watermark at the base. Flowers remain white with a pink trace that arranges in rounded and aggregated heads comprising of up to 85 flowers per head. The seed coat is made up of a hard shell that prolongs seed dormancy in the soil for years.
White Clover-Propagation and Lifecycle
The pollination is often dependent on the visits of honey and bumblebees. The wind and rain help in dispersing seed in early or mid-summer. The viable seed germinates in 3 to 4 days if the moisture is satisfactory. A mature White Clover plant spreads through a stolon also called a creeping stem. Excessive flowering takes place when White Clover finds the lowest moisture level in soil, a threat to stop its growth. White Clover may probably have two generations in a year but, its ability to form mats in turfgrasses is pretty fast.
Fun Facts About White Clover
White Clover- Prevention and Control
Cultural Control
Since White Clover establishes in low fertility soils and can fix nitrogen through nitrogen-fixing bacteria present on the root nodules of the plant, it is imperative to enhance the fertility level of the soil with additional nitrogen application. Additional nitrogen could boost turfgrasses and suppress White Clover. A general recommendation is adding 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per year in turfgrasses in two equal doses. White Clover can also be pulled by hands but, that is a tedious job. White Clover often tolerates mowing and can only be a little helpful.
Chemical Control
Control using Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Tenacity Turf Herbicide
Tenacity contains 40% Mesotrione that is a selective, pre-emergence herbicide for controlling several broadleaf weeds in turfgrass including White Clover and Dandelion. The active Ingredient in Tenacity is an enzyme inhibitor that causes chlorosis in existing weeds and stops sprouting from the seed. The absorption takes place by the roots when they're in the developing stage, and White Clover can't tolerate absorbing it from the soil.
- Tenacity is a systemic pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide for the selective contact and residual control of weeds in turfgrasses.
- When applied as a pre-emergent, weeds absorb Tenacity during emergence from the soil.
- Target pests: Barnyardgrass, Carpetweed, Chickweed, Clover, Crabgrass (large & smooth), Dandelion, Foxtail, Goosegrass, Henbit, Yellow Nutsedge, Purslane, Thistle, Wild Carrot and others
Tenacity performs in a very minute quantity, and it's one level teaspoon can make 2 gallons of spray solution that covers 2000 square feet of turfgrasses.
Control using Post-Emergent Herbicides
Ortho Weed B Gon
Weed B Gon contains 8% Triclopyr which is very effective against White Clover, Oxalis, and Chickweed besides, several other broadleaf herbs. It is best applied when White Clover and other target weeds are actively growing in the turfgrasses where the temperature remains below 90 Fahrenheit. The higher temperatures can affect its performance besides the yellowing of the leaves. The product comes in three versions, and the gardeners may adopt any of them depending on their requirements. However, a concentrated product is a better choice than they could use the leftover herbicide later. Ortho B Gon kills through roots, and lawn watering is necessary before or soon after its application.
- Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer for Lawns Concentrate is formulated to kill tough weeds in your lawn (when used as directed)
- Kills listed weeds like chickweed, clover, oxalis, ground ivy, speedwell, and wild violet, and is rainproof in 6 hours
- Apply when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are below 90°F
As per label instructions, 16 ounces of concentrate is enough for spraying on 3200 square feet of lawn. The gardeners may mix 1-ounce product in one gallon of water to target 200 square feet of White Clover infested area.
Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action
This product contains Pendimethalin, MCPA, and 2,4-D in a ready-to-use formulation besides, having 15% Nitrogen, 1% water-soluble Potash, and 2% Sulfur. The mode of action is three ways. Pendimethalin stops the White Clover sprouting from the seed, MCPA and 2,4-D kill actively growing plants, and available fertilizers not only help boost turfgrasses but strengthen their roots. Sulfur does the additional job of bringing lush green color to the turf. The actions together kill White Clover, suppress seed, and increase the vigor of the turf to a new look. The product is available in a ready-to-use granular formation and can be applied easily.
- Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action is a 3-in-1 formula that kills listed weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds to build thick, green lawns
- Built-in lawn weed killer controls existing dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and english daisy
- Prevents crabgrass for 4 months (will not kill existing crabgrass), while also preventing barnyardgrass, fall panicum, foxtail, and annual bluegrass
20-pounds granules are sufficient to target White Clover in 4000 square feet area of turf.
Learn How to control and get rid of other weeds in our complete Yard Weeding Guide.