Photo: "White Clover" by Hideyuki KAMON
· CC BY-SA 2.0
White clover · Living-mulch-legume
White clover living mulch
Perennial · Fabaceae
White clover is a low-growing legume used as a living mulch under fruit, along paths, or between wider vegetable rows. It fixes nitrogen, tolerates foot traffic, and keeps soil covered, which makes it more of a management tool than a harvest crop. It suits gardeners who want a permanent or semi-permanent groundcover with pollinator value.
At a Glance
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Sun
6+ hours
full sun 6-8 hours
Spacing
6–12 "
Seed Start
0 weeks
before transplant
Container
Not Ideal
5+ gallon pot
Height
0.5–4 ft
Zone Planting Guide
Growing Guide
Germination
Germination Time5–14 days
Optimal Temp65°F
Seed Depth0.13"
Watering
Weekly Water0.75–1.25 "
NeedsModerate
MethodBase watering
Soil
pH Range6–7
Soil TypeAverage to moderately fertile, well-drained soil; most of these crops do not need rich feeding.
Resilience
Heat: ModerateCold: HighDrought: Moderate
Common Problems
damping-off
Cause: Cold, wet seedbeds or overly dense sowing can kill seedlings.
Prevention: Use clean seed, shallow sowing, and thin dense stands.
powdery-mildew
Cause: Late-season humidity can coat foliage and blooms.
Prevention: Improve airflow and avoid crowding.
Nutrition
Feeding IntensityNone feeder
Harvest
Terminate at early bloom for easy incorporation and maximum tenderness.
Expected Yield0 lbs/plant
Storage
Not normally stored; use as mulch or incorporation residue the same day.
Sources
seed_catalog
Hudson Valley Seed Company
seed_catalog
UC SAREP
university
Extension source
White clover living mulch Planting Dates by Zone
Planting dates for White clover living mulch vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.
