White Clover

Basic Information

Seed Number

49

Seed Name

White Clover

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Fabaceae

Plant Type

White clover (Trifolium repens)

Planting Method

Direct Sow

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 1

Last Recommended Planting Date

Sep 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, August, September

Indoor Start

Not recorded

Direct Sow

Mar 1 – Sep 15

Transplant

Not Recommended

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not Recommended

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not Recommended

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

45-75°F

Planting Depth

1/8-1/4 in

Plant Spacing

Broadcast or 2–6 in

Row Spacing

Not recorded

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Prefers consistent soil moisture; shallow roots make it less drought tolerant

Soil Preference

Fertile soil with good moisture; adaptable once established

Minimum Container Size

1-2 gal

Plant Height

3-12 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Mar 25 – Jun 15; Aug 15 – Sep 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–90 days; flowers year 1/2
Container Friendly: Yes, but best in ground
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Red clover has traditional herbal use; white clover pollinator/cover crop
Perennial?: Yes/short-lived perennial
Succession / Reusable Notes: Good living mulch, cover crop, and pollinator support.
Zone 6B Notes: Can spread; mow/contain as needed.
Companion Plants: Fruit trees, garden paths, pollinator beds, brassicas nearby, living mulch where managed
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Tiny seedlings/crops if allowed to overtake
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: White clover is a hardy perennial suited to Southeast Michigan. Spring and late-summer establishment are appropriate. It spreads by stolons and can form persistent mats.
Germination: Sow very shallowly and maintain seed-to-soil contact. Clover germination begins in cool soil once favorable moisture and temperatures are present.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to brown and dry before collecting seed. White clover is insect-pollinated and genetically variable.
Special Care: Can creep into neighboring beds through stolons. Its shallow root system makes it less drought resistant than deep-rooted forage legumes.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/weeds/dutch-white-clover — Trifolium repens identity, perennial mat-forming habit and 3-12 inch height
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/vegetable-farming-minnesota/cover-crop-selection-vegetable-growers — hardiness, perennial life cycle, nitrogen fixation and pollinator nectar value
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/forage-selection/forage-legumes — moisture preference and reduced drought resistance from shallow fibrous roots
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]