Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

How much light does a Red Clover need?

Full sun is the light level listed for red clover outdoors. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. That is the only light level listed for this plant. Pick a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day. Shadier corners of a garden do not match the light this plant is listed for.

• Light: Full sun¹
• Direct sun: 6 h/day¹

Best soil for a Red Clover

Red clover grows in well drained soil that is occasionally dry. Good drainage is the soil condition listed for it. Aim for a soil pH between 6 and 7. Clovers as a group perform best within that pH range. A pH below 6 or above 7 sits outside the range listed for clovers. Weigh the drainage and the pH range together when you choose a planting site.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally dry¹
• Soil pH: pH 6–7²

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 3a through 9b are listed for red clover. The listing names each half zone in that span: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. Gardeners in zone 3a, the coldest zone listed, sit at the cool end of that span. Gardeners in zone 9b sit at the warm end of the span.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to plant a Red Clover

Plant red clover in full sun with well drained soil. It suits USDA zones 3a through 9b. Each plant spreads 0.7–1.7 ft (0.2–0.51 m) wide, so measure that much room for it. It reaches 0.5–2 ft (0.15–0.61 m) tall. A soil pH of 6 to 7 is listed as best for clovers. Seed is the listed way to start it. Its flowers are pink.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Winter care

Zone 3a is the coldest zone in the listing for this plant. Red clover is listed for zones 3a through 9b. Zones colder than 3a fall outside the listed range. It is a herbaceous perennial. Zone 9b is the warmest zone listed. Compare your own USDA zone against that span.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to propagate a Red Clover

Seed is the propagation method listed for red clover. No other method, such as cuttings or division, is listed for it. The plant you raise from seed is a herbaceous perennial. Its growth rate is listed as rapid. Mature plants reach 0.5–2 ft (0.15–0.61 m) tall. Its habit is erect and spreading.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

Four pests are listed for red clover: clover leaf weevil, Japanese beetle, spotted cucumber beetle and stem nematode. Two of the four listed pests are beetles. Three diseases are listed: clover rot, powdery mildew and clover yellow edge phytoplasma. Clover rot can be an issue. Powdery mildew may damage accumulated growth.

• Common pests: clover leaf weevil, japanese beetle, spotted cucumber beetle and stem nematode³
• Common diseases: clover rot, powdery mildew and clover yellow edge phytoplasma^1,4,3

Questions and answers

How much sun does red clover need?

Red clover needs full sun. That means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only light level listed for it.

What soil does red clover grow best in?

Choose well drained soil that is occasionally dry. Clovers perform best when the soil pH is between 6 and 7. A pH outside that range is not the one listed.

Which hardiness zones suit red clover?

Red clover is listed for USDA zones 3a through 9b. That range covers every half zone from 3a to 9b. It is a herbaceous perennial.